Tea-Colored Pond Water: Mulch Tannins or Black Water?

Pond clear but tea-colored/muddy. Floaters, fish, mulch around rocks. Asks cause, fix.

Mulch = Likely Tannin Source

Wet mulch leaches tannins → tea color. Move mulch away from water contact.

"Black Water" Can Be Healthy

Tannin-stained water = low algae, healthy for fish. If pH 7.3–7.6, enjoy it.

Test & Observe

• pH 7.3–7.6 = fine.
• Algaecide → skim next day → see if clears.
• But tea color from mulch/tannins is natural.

Fix mulch contact, then decide if color bothers you.