Yellow Murky Water

[ANIM4L]

Im helping someone with thier tank and they have yellow water and it smells bad she said. I dont know why it would turn yellow, even after a 100% water change, except by driftwood or peat (so i heard) but she has neither of these in the tank. She does have flagstone in the tank, and i was wondering what would that do to a fishtank? Any ideas on how to get rid of the yellow water? she doesnt have driftwood, but anyone know other things that cause it? It is a 125 gallon tank, and it isnt overcrowded, so i am kinda confused, and im oging to guess the reason it is yellow is going to be obvious and i am going to slap myself. I am going to her house to help her with her tank on saturday, so i have less than a week to figure this out. I thought i would come here because of how helpful people are here, any ideas anyone?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Well you should never ever do a 100% water change, causes the tank to cycle creating much stress for the fish everytime you do the water change, you shouldn't have to do more than a 40% water change with dechlorinator once a week in a healthy tank, cleaning the substrate also once a week with a gravel/sand vac of some sort or by hand.
Is the tank planted and are the plants healthy? What does your friend feed her fish and does she have any rocks in the tank and if so do you know what type they are? Is the tank gravel or sand based?

 

[ANIM4L]

ok the tank is no live plants, gravel based, feeds regular food, not too much, and i told her about the 100% water change, but she did it before i said anything

 

[ANIM4L]

bump

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Does your freind have any rocks in the tank and if so, waht are they? Also is the tank sand or gravel based?

 

[ANIM4L]

regular gravel was used (aquarium gravel) and fake ornaments, other than the flagstone... which may cause it but i am not sure, that si why i am askin. anyone know?

 

[@ombomb]

What do you mean by flasgstone exactly?

Sounds to me like there is some sandstone / clay based stone in the tank, either the flagstones or in the gravel. Having said that, if the tank has been set up for a while and this has only just happened...

 

[ANIM4L]

Ya the tank has been set up since may of this year, so i am guessing it is in the flagstone, the gravel is regualr aquarium based gravel, no leaching or clay in it, but the flagstone is used around pools, so i assumed at first this was ok, but then again, it is the only unusual thing in tha tank....

 

[Soaup]

Maybe there is some sort of toxins in the stone? Is there charcoal in the filter that might eliminate some of the coloration. Also are there any fish in there have and died how are the fish doing if so.

 

[ANIM4L]

The fish are living just fine amazingly, and her old set up was an aquaclear filter (yucky) and an UGF, and i got her to try 2 Biowheels, the 350 or whatever. I havent heard back from her in a couple of days to see if they helped at all, i am calling tomorrow.