If customers experience the tea color from the product it usually lasts between 3-5 days during pond start up or using for the first time, after the initial dose customers should not see the tea color at all. If the pond becomes dark or tinted for longer periods of time, it is often caused by leaves or debris found in the pond that need to be removed. The powerful heterotrophic bacteria found in Aquascape Beneficial Bacteria or Sludge and Filter Cleaner will quickly break down the organic debris and release the tannins. The tannins will then need to be removed with carbon or diluted by doing a partial water change.