Hey guys, i seem to have a problem with green water in my tank, which from what i have read on the net is a form of algae? I dont think it affects the fish but would just like to make sure and hear that from someone on here. I think the cause of this may be cause the room the tank is in has alot of sunlight in it throughout the day (not direct sunlight but the room is quite bright) and i also checked my bulbs and two of the four are for plant growth (Didnt realise the bulbs when i bought the tank). So since i dont have any live plants ive took them out for now. Was just wondering the best way to cure this problem? Ive done a few water changes but it doesnt seem to get any better. If anyone else has any other information to help me out it would be very much appreciated.

Lee Edge wrote:


Can you give us some quick tank specs first? i.e.

tank size
fish stock
last water test readings
water change schedule
filtration

Light can play a major factor in a green algae bloom, but the underlying problem can in many cases be insufficient tank maintenance through overfeeding, not enough water changes, poor filtration, and/or cleaning procedures.

Have you checked you nitrates?
whats your maintenance routine?
how longs the light on for?

as you know light affects algae growth, as does nitrates. put the 2 together and you won't see much of your fish. you can buy some green away treatment, but before you go adding things to remove the algae check and post nitrate level. too much green and it will affect your filter and clog everything up.

I would start with a few more water changes. turn the lights out for a few days, the fish won't mind. if that don't work consider a treatment to bind the algae up.

Hey, its a 450litre tank with a fx5. I have two 2.5" oscars, one 3-4" jack dempsey, three 3" silver sharks, two 3-4" featherfin catfish and six 2-3" clown loaches. I know that in the long term i will not be able to keep all these fish in there, especially when the oscars and jd grow, but i am looking at setting another tank up. I clean my tank atleast once a week, sometimes two. Normally about 20-30% water changes. I have got my water readings with me atm as i am in work so not sure the exact reading but i knw the last time i done them, about a week ago they wernt bad, i will post the exact readings when i get home. The lights come on at about 7.30 in the morning and go out about 10.30 at night, maybe that is abit to long? but i have no problem with cutting down on that. Hope this helps and appreciate the advice.

Hi, ditto to what everyone has said..algae needs light and nitrates so starve them and you hurt the algae. Also you can put media in your filter to control the phosphates - you can get it in pad form or in little tiny balls that you put in media bag in your filter - I am using a Seachem one called PhosGuard at the moment for an algae problem..you mentioned that you don't have any plants at the moment...good...because plants hate this stuff. Then just keep up the water changes.....Good Luck..Shaz

your way way over stocked but you know that )) lighting wise that's your problem. with that many fish in the tank nitrates will be high with 30% once a wk. I would cut the lights to the time your home and making use of it. mines on about 6hrs a day compared to your 15hr.

ye i knw my bad. Just thought it would be okay for now. Was never planning on keeping them all in there for the long term.

So what your saying is do more water changes, cut down on the time the lights are on or knock them off until the algae problem is solved. Also i could use PhosGuard to help? i have one tray empty atm in my fx5 so i could use that stuff if it helps.

And i promise i'll sort out the overstocking!!

phosguard needs changing every 5 days so no don't put it in the filter. if you have it already place it in a bag/clean sock and place it over the inlet from the filter. as long as its under the running water it should be ok. i would fill the empty basket with media or sponge.

yes drop the light levels to about 6hr a day. it will take a while to completely go but a few water changes less light and you should notice in a few wks it getting better.

okay i got a media bag to put the stuff in, I'll have to go buy some Phosguard.

Thanks alot for the advice, all taken on board!!

marcus wrote:


Hi Marcus you have me worried...why change it every 5 days? Is it a problem in your filter? It's in mine???????Shaz

if you are going to buy you may be better off to get this
cgi.ebay.co.uk/Interpet-No-4-Green-Away-...;hash=item2557f5620c

just make it easy to use and you don't have to remove it when its used up )

ah great thanks. Whats that like a liquid water treatment? I did have API auqa clear i think but didnt really see any difference, that stuff also says that it clumps up particles that get filtered or sink to the bottom. Or is that stuff better?

Also if i do buy the phosguard how much should i put in a media? if its gotta be changed every 5 days. And what exactly does it do? does it just starve the aglae growth?