I have a small pond I built to raise frogs and toads in. The water has turned brown from leaves that have fallen into the pond. What is the best way to clear up the water? The pond does not have a skimmer. I net the leaves out, but haven't always got them all. I add bacteria to it weekly.
Do you know how many gallons your pond is what size pump do you have?
The pond is about 150 gallons and the pump is 350 gph.
The brown water you are experiencing is from the tannins in the leaves. Some leaves give off more tannins than other for example eucalyptus leaves REALLY turn your water brown even when you do have a good filtration system and have a good routine of benefical bacteria.
Tell us a little more about your filtration system and what kind of leaves you have falling in your pond.
I have a coupld of options that come to mind on solving your problem are putting a net over your pond to catch most of the leaves as they fall from the tree. Is your tree disciduous and loose all of it's leaves seasonally or does it unload leaf debris into your pond all year long.
Routine Water changes will certainly help keep the color of your water LESS brown.
And last thing is the use of carbon in your filtration system can greatly reduce the color of your pond if you are controling the amount of leaves that make it to the bottom of your pond. Carbon is most effective when you move water through it and not around it. Think about that.......
The Pond Digger