Cloudy Brown 5,000-Gal Pond: Oak Dust, Flocculant & Skimmer Matting

New liner, Sanio skimmer, biofilter, carbon, coke rock — but cloudy brown after caterpillar poop. Likely oak leaf dust washing in — too fine for skimmer.

Diagnosis

• Rain = dust wash-in.
• Carbon removes tannins, not mineral dust.
• Skimmer misses sub-micron particles.

Fixes

1. Extra filter matting in skimmer — finer mechanical catch.
2. Flocculant (Sheer Clear, Accu-Clear) — clumps dust for filter capture.
3. Wait for caterpillar season to end — then deep clean.

Oak Trees = Annual Dust Event

Expect it. Plan for it. Flocculant + fine matting = clear water.