Coloured water

Please help a very demotivated newby out. We running multiple tanks. 4 of our tropical tank's water keep going yellow-brown. Do a water change and clean the canister and for a day the water is nice and clean but the next day it's discoloured again. No, it's not tannins, the driftwood has been added a year ago. Some have started with algae growth on the sides. Some tanks standing right next to it have no algae. It's like it's just certain tanks that doing this. It's extremely frustrating to watch fish in this coloured water.

Tanks are in an open room that's getting in some sunlight but nothing on the tanks. In fact, the one tank that catches direct sunlight is doing the best.

HELP!

 

Hi Deon, sorry to hear of the issues, I had the same in my 3ft and the driftwood was the cause. I've had the piece for a few years and it still leeches whenever I put it in a tank. Driftwood was removed and put a powerhead in to polish the water, some carbon and filter floss.

 

What substrate are you using? Are there digging fish? Did you add any leaves or bark or cones for shrimp?

 

Tanks that have issues are the Mollys, Tetra's and betta. All tanks have some shrimp and apple snails. No bark and cones were added. The substrate is normal black fine

 

I would say add carbon to one filter and see if it helps. It's like putting a bandaid but atleast you will be able to see whether it is infact tannins which I highly suspect it to be