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How come roots color the water?

If you add a new root to the aquarium, it releases humic substances into the water. These humic substances are by no means dangerous, but rather healthy for the pelvis. They have an antibacterial effect and stabilize the pH value.

This is particularly practical for freshly running pools. The fish also do not suffer from the coloring of the water by a root. It is certainly not necessarily attractive, as one would like to have a nice and clear pool. For the fish, however, it is particularly natural, because in their original habitats the waters are usually rather dark and cloudy. Not only do roots grow through the water, but leaves and rubbish also fall into the water. As a result, a brownish cloudiness is something completely natural. Not only roots can cause a brownish cloudiness in the aquarium.

Alder cones or leaves as food also give off humic substances and cloud the water.

Is turbidity dangerous for the aquarium?

The humic substances in themselves are not bad and harmless. However, if there is an overdose of humic substances, it can happen that the water in the tank tilts. However, you can’t do that with a few roots in the tank alone. An overdose of humic substances is more likely to occur if these are added to the tank or if leaves, alder cones and the like are kept in the water for too long.

Does the coloring of a root eventually stop?

Over time, the roots in the aquarium release less and less humic substances into the water. It also stops coloring the water. Some roots need half a year for this. Others only stain for a few days. If it bothers you too much, you have to remove the root from the tank and change 3/4 of the water. But since it is harmless for the fish, you can leave the root in the tank.

How to treat a new root before putting it in the aquarium?

It is often possible to avoid a strong turbidity in the water caused by a fresh root by watering the root well beforehand. Smaller roots are great to boil in a saucepan. This means that the coloring is usually completely absent and the root no longer swells. Larger roots can be placed in a large tub of water and watered there for a few days to weeks. If the water in the tub becomes too brown, drain it and fill with new water until the color no longer appears.