Green deposits on the walls

Yep. Algae. (or copper, which I doubt). Solution? An algae-munching critter of some sort. What sort of tank are we talking about here? Size, water parameters, types and number of fish/plants....not a whole lot to go on from your post.

Also, I'd be willing to bet money that the brown stuff in your tank isn't iron deposits at all, that it's algae as well. By any chance, do you have your tank near a window?

I know that's a lot of questions, but your post was a touch vague to offer a solution...

Ya never seen algae before, huh? Nothing freaky, really, you'll get used to it!!

Beth

Originally posted by roper930
Ya never seen algae before, huh? Nothing freaky, really, you'll get used to it!!

Beth

Click to expand...

you might even come to like it....well, maybe not so much...

It's algea, thats all. You can either move the tank so it is not in sunlight, get a fish like a bristlenose pleco to eat the algea, or you can just wipe it off.

Or better yet, narrow down the cause of the algae outbreak. What is your maintanence routine? How often and how much do you feed your fish? How large is your tank? How many fish and what kinds of fish do you have in there? How much lighting does this tank get? You say you have too much iron in your water, is that right from the tap? or do you add it yourself?

You can get algae eaters, but imho, thats usually a second to last resort (last resort being chemicals). I personally don't like the idea of getting algae eaters when there is an algae outbreak... thats only treating the symptoms, not solving the problem. Adding more fish also puts more bioload into your tank, which may not work in some cases.

HTH
-Richer

Originally posted by Richer
Or better yet, narrow down the cause of the algae outbreak. What is your maintanence routine? How often and how much do you feed your fish? How large is your tank? How many fish and what kinds of fish do you have in there? How much lighting does this tank get? You say you have too much iron in your water, is that right from the tap? or do you add it yourself?

You can get algae eaters, but imho, thats usually a second to last resort (last resort being chemicals). I personally don't like the idea of getting algae eaters when there is an algae outbreak... thats only treating the symptoms, not solving the problem. Adding more fish also puts more bioload into your tank, which may not work in some cases.

HTH
-Richer

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Good point. Maybe another solution might be a snail that eats algae (but won't take over the tank)? Less bioload than a fish, anyhow...

Really need to know more about the tank itself before a definite pearl of wisdom can be given, I guess....

Well, maybe you're leaving the light on for too long during the day? Has a regular light bulb, not a flourescent, right? That would solve our problem right there...just turn off the lights...

Not really sure what the stuff you add to your tank is...if it's something like ich-cure, it's not necessary...

Buying an algae eater is probably out of the question for you at this time. Maybe an apple snail? (Somebody who has any experience with "wanted" snails can give you insight into whether that will work)

You might be able to swing a chinese algae eater in that setup, but it would probably get mean to your other fish after it got bigger...bettas and mollies are not especially fast, and cae's love big flowing fins...not until they reach maturity, though (3 or 4" or so).

Your best bet may be to just scrape off the algae with one of those scrubby-things they sell in WM's pet dept.

As far as prevention, don't turn the light hood on unless you're actually looking in the tank. If you don't have live plants, the light from the room is plenty for the fish. Plus, if it's an incandescent bulb, it will raise the temp in your tank if you leave it on all the time....

HTH...

light doesnt cause algae.

snails dont increase bioload unless your feeding them directly.