Pond water is brown

[Ginge212]

Hi, I am a newbie to the pond ownership. We have recently created a pond and within a matter of weeks the water has gone brown. Ive added water plants in, one of which looks like its dying some of the lilies dont seem to be doing so well either.
There is a brown coating around the edges and sticking to rocks in the water- it is however easy to clean off.
As the pond is new, I've no sludge or layer of mud ect on the bottom, very little debris falls in, and what I manage to skim gets taken out daily.

Any clues as to what I've done wrong? Is it natural and how would I go about making the water clear?

Thank you.

 

[addy1]

Welcome to our forum!

you need to give it time to mature, get the good bacteria going. Post some pictures when you can

 

[j.w]

@Ginge212

 

[Tula]

Welcome Pictures would be helpful.

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome to GPF! It’s very normal for a new pond, (or even an old one, as spring comes around) to start out wonky. Patience is the key, and to make any changes gradually. Don’t add chemicals!

Can you post pictures of your pond, give us its dimensions, gallons, type of filtration, and do you have any fish?

 

[Ginge212]

Thank you all for your welcome and comments. The ponds is approx 1100 gallons.
We have only placed a oxgenator in along with the plants at the moment. No filter as of yet. I've attached some photos to try give a look at the brown stuff but doesn't show true colour of the water being brown.

 

[Ginge212]

On another note, I added some barley straw in, which just yesterday has gone below the surface. No chemicals have been added.

 

[Mmathis]

I’m sorry, but your pictures don’t really help us understand this problem (Other than just normal gunk that happens in a new pond). Can you take some pics of the whole pond — you say it’s 1100 gallons? What are the overall dimensions of the pond?

All I can really tell from the pics is that it looks like the edge of your pond is even with ground level. This means that the pond will get run-off from the ground where you’ll get dirt/soil, pesticides, fertilizers, etc. in the water. Maybe the pictures are deceptive.

 

[mrsclem]

it looks like you have soil, sand possibly washing into the pond from the edges. If you raise the edge of your liner, it will help to keep soil from washing in.

 

[IPA]

It’s just part of the natural cycle. It’s a good sign. Eventually it will turn green and stringy and your water may turn green. Lost of plants will help with the later stages.