Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Fertilization Tea stained water

I have a 1ac. pond, ave 5ft., PH-8.0, ALK 120.
Can't clear water. I have tested the water in glass jars for sediment issues. I'm pretty sure it is not a MUDDY water issue.. It is a TEA stained color. Where do I go from here?????????

Randy,

I'm going to guess it is tannin stained water. Do you have lots of pines in the area? I have a pond like that and there is no harm I can see from the tannins.

Yea, any leaves in the catchment area will stain water at least a little. Oak leaves that are actually in the pond are the worst offenders. It's not as bad as it looks, but if severe to very severe it can cause slight acidity or even toxicity.

Randy :

Welcome to the PB forum. Often people refer to tea colored water as tannic or black water. It is common in swamps and bogs. This is usually associated with oak (and other hard woods) as it contains tannins. While tannic water is tea colored it is still easy to see through to several feet deep it is just dark colored. Tannic water is acidic (ph range 4-6) as it is formed by the tannic acid in the watershed and its leaves , limbs ect. pH values lower than 7 are considered acidic, while pH values higher than 7 are considered alkaline. With your water being slightly basic (8) and with an alka of 120 I question if the color is a result of tannins. I suggest you have the water and pond dirt tested. Your parish extension agent should be able to help. If you can give us more info like watershed details or general location it would help. Below is a link to parish ag offices who can help.

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/our_offices/parishes/

Thanks for the responses guys,,,,,but I have no trees even close to the pond. I'm thinking I will have to get a pond bottom and water sample.

Have you recently treated any aquatic weed growth? If there is enough sago pond weed dieing off then this could cause the brown tea look as the weeds die.

Sorry it took so long to reply Shorty. No I have not Tx.any aquatic growth. I will have my soil tested and water. I live in south central La. ,, my watershed is approx. 2.5acres mowed lawn.

Randy

Randy, this may sound off-the-wall, but is there an oily film floating on top of the water?

Hi Bob.
Again, sorry it took so long.
NO there is no oily film????
Randy

bobad

Why are you relating the oily film to tea stained water?? What are your thoughts? Just curious and trying to educate myself.

Chuck