Green Water!!

Marisa · Post by **Marisa** » 16 Oct 2003, 12:28

Hi there, I'm having a weird time with my poor tandanus. His water keeps turning green. I had an algae ( slimy stuff on rocks and ornaments, that grew like string) outbreak a while ago and got it under control by cleaning and algae fix. I ahve also got Cycle in the water and he isn't at all stressed so I'm sure its not a nitrate problem. I have kept the light off for a few days and have removed all the rocks and ornaments. Water changes dont seem to be making any effect either. Any ideas???

PS dont you hate people who only seem to pop up when they have a problem?

Post by **Silurus** » 16 Oct 2003, 13:23

When you say green, I presume you mean like pea soup?
I alos preume you are using tap water?

Post by **Barbie** » 16 Oct 2003, 18:41

The addition of cycle, especially after the tank has been established already and finished its cycle, will just basically add to your eventual nitrate levels. Its definitely not necessary, and is an expense you could be spending elsewhere. Does thie tank get ambient room light from a window or bright flourescents?

If you have access to a Magnum filter, the micron cartridge will clear the tank in 2-3 days. If you don't, you will probably need to cover the tank for 2-3 days with a blanket, and leave the lights off. The dying algae can starve the fish for oxygen, so make sure your filtration is causing enough surface disturbance, or add additional filration or aeration for a few days.

The free floating algae is a plant. Water changes might not seem to be helping, but I do 30% water changes weekly, in order to keep my nitrates at an acceptable level. Nitrate is nothing more than fertilizer to algae, so if you aren't doing regular water changes, that could be the key. If you ARE doing regular water changes and seeing the blooms anyway, you need to test your tap water for nitrates and phosphates. Phosphates are the other key ingredient for that type of algae. Usually they are added to the tank from the foods we feed, but in some places, tap water levels are plenty to sustain different algae outbreaks.

Another thing that would clear the tank up immediately would be UV filtration, but those aren't exactly cheap.

Treating the problem now might get rid of it and keep it from coming back, but if it does come back, you're going to need to evaluate your tank levels and light period more closely. Does the tank have a background on it?

Barbie

Marisa · Post by **Marisa** » 17 Oct 2003, 00:04

Yeah it is pea soup green...and yes it does get ambient lighting.
It doesnt have a background but is against a wall.....which is also green (lol) but not the same green as the water!!
As for lighting I used to turn the light off at night from about 10pm till around 8am.

Thanks for the thoughts so far though.

Post by **Silurus** » 17 Oct 2003, 00:46

As for lighting I used to turn the light off at night from about 10pm till around 8am.

Is that the light in the room or the light in your tank?

Marisa · Post by **Marisa** » 17 Oct 2003, 04:48

Both!! Its in my bedroom.....

Post by **Silurus** » 17 Oct 2003, 05:34

Well, it strikes me that leaving the light in your tank on for 14 hours is kinda long (I think it's best not to leave them on for more than 12).
Maybe that's the main reason for your water turning green.

Marisa · Post by **Marisa** » 17 Oct 2003, 06:25

thats really interesting.....but how come its taken six months for it to happen?

Post by **Barbie** » 17 Oct 2003, 06:56

Fish waste = fertilizer, it builds up over time. The angle of the sun shining into the room might have changed also, giving it more direct light. It happens.

Barbie

CoolTcat · Post by **CoolTcat** » 23 Jun 2004, 14:54

Barbie's right, the sun is lower in the sky in autumn/winter and that's when I have had problems with light coming in windows. I think if you cut the tank light back a few hours per day the algae will clear at some point. If you want to do it fast watch out for algae death causing fish death like said above. Sydney's water supply is so low at the moment it could have more nutrient than usual perhaps? Grow some big plants!
Jan

patrickstockton · Post by **patrickstockton** » 25 Jun 2004, 22:12

My friend had a similar problem. I tested his phosphate levels and it maxed out my test. He tried the Phos-sorb from aquarium pharm. and replaced the carbon in his filter. Seemed to work well. Phosphate levels are nil and water is clearer. Also he started convering the tank during the really bright hours to cut down on the sunlight factor.
now all is well.