What is causing this?

[3.0CL]

It started about a month or so ago...
I changed the water numerous times.
3 of my fish died(white spots)

:(

http://www.hondavision.com/photopost/data/500/87fish3.jpg
http://www.hondavision.com/photopost/data/500/87fish.jpg :(

[Stephen]

What are your water parameters? Filtration, lighting, etc. Is the tank getting direct sunlight?

[3.0CL]

Aquaclear 300 Filter, 45 Gal Tank, No direct sunlight.

1 Pleco, 1 silver shark, 3 more but I forget the name,

[Stephen]

The green color looks like it suggests some type of free floating algae to me. What's the ph, any ni's, ammonia, water hardness, water temp? I had a pond that looked like that. During the summer anyway. Cured it with a bigger filter, bigger pump, and a UV sterilizer. Your filter sounds sufficient though. Where are you getting the water from for your tank?

[3.0CL]

Tap... I did a water test and everything looks ok.

[valerie]

get a phosphate test. High phosphate causes algae blooms(green water)

[Toooloud]

agreeded, Take a sample of water to a LFS and have them do a Phosphate and a Silicate test, these are usally the 2 hidden cause for Algea, unless you are over feeding,

What are your feeding habbits?

For now, Cut down to 1 feeding every other day and do 5% water changes every day..

What you may want to do is do like 5 gallon water changes and in the 5 gallon bucket becouse you are using the Tap water, use a condioner.. as well run a powerhead in it and use some Phosphate remover,

[3.0CL]

Looks scary...
I can't even put my face to close to the glass... Something might suddenly jump at me hehhee

Anything I can buy? Like Water clear solution?

how about algone?

[Faramir]

Killing the algae chemically will create a load of dead algae in your tank.

Tell us about your lighting. How much? How many hours a day?

[superstein61]

You have a nutrient imbalance causing free floating algae. You are likely feeding too much. This green water can be dangerous as it can consume lots of oxygen - depleting the oxegyn levels avail for the fish.

First you need to solve your nutrient problem - then clean up the water. try reducing your feedings , vacuum the substrate, clean the filters, etc. Also reduce the time the lights are on.

To get rid of green water - one of these are usually recommended:

A UV Sterilizer, Cleaning with a Diatom filter, or a 72 hour complete blackout.

Most folks don't recommend algaecides as many try to do things naturally - however, if you have no live plants, and if you are diligent to clean your filters / substrate again after using an algaecide, it too would likely clear up the problem

Here is a good article:

http://www.drhelm.com/aquarium/cloudy%20water.html

[3.0CL]

Light is mostly from the hood, or room.

4-5 hours a day.

[FishBait]

Just thought I woud point out that if you go for a PO4 test and it shows very low to zero levels, it could just be that the algae are removing it just as quickly as it is getting into the water. I would probably stick with the UV or diatom filter with some good follow up water changes and filter cleanings to handle organic load. You may also try a coagulant and siphon it out with several water changes.

[wetmanNY]

Your fish dying of Ich are unrelated to the green water problem.

What decided you not to post this in the Newbie Forum?

[3.0CL]

Just an update:

Well I covered my tank since I first posted... haven't turned on the light for 2 days now. It's a lot better than before... But it's still pea soup...

How long can fish go without eating?
I haven't fed it since 3 days ago:confused:

[pinballqueen]

Fish can go a week or more without food without harm. Leave the tank covered with something that light can't get through, and don't uncover it for any reason other than to check and make sure all your critters are okay...

I had this problem, and it took nearly 2 weeks to completely clear things up. I did sneak them some food every 4 or 5 days, but only a fraction of what I normally fed them.

As for the ich, treat it before dealing with the algae problem. It'll kill your fish a heck of a lot faster than pea soup will. After you have that taken care of, do a 30-50% water change, being sure to vacuum your gravel thoroughly, and give your fish a week-long solar eclipse. You'll see worlds of difference.

[pierre_john]

I have had a tank almost like that, I shut down the lights for two weeks, 10% water changes daily, cleaning filteration once per week, and I also used a power head with the filter hookups to the bottom of them. I also invested in some ALGONE.

[Orbitorly]

Looks like an algae bloom to me, Vortex filters get rid of that, and also clean the water to a extremly pure state, got some extra cash on hand ?

[3.0CL]

other than bigalsonline.com

can you please give me a list of other online stores....

Just want to compare prices...

I went to Petco today and bought a bunch of stuff...

Sparkling Clear
Aqua Plus Tap water conditioner
Aqua Clear 300 Step one foam insert
Algae Destroyer
Freshwater salt

[JSchmidt]

Buzzz! Incorrect choice!

Despite what the LFS said, adding a bunch of chemicals to your tank is not the cure.

Algae blooms need two things: nutrients in the water column and light. Restrict one or both and the algae will go away.

You'vre received several good suggestions, particularly those suggesting you reduce feeding, increase your maintenance and find out whether you've got high phosphates. Any other approach will be a band-aid...

You're not adding something like ProperPH, are you? Those pH controllers are often LOADED with phosphates....


Jim

[3.0CL]

I covered the whole tank, no light at all... There's like 3 fish left. from the 10 i had. I haven't fed them since last week.:(

all the test looked ok.

[3.0CL]

Update :)
It's a whole lot better now...
Thank you for the help :D

[Fishiebusiness]

That green water isnt as green as my greenwater was! The algae should not be causing any fish deaths. It is however, sometimes, linked to ammonia presence, which does cause fish deaths. Have you checked your ammonia levels and made sure they are zero?

Good luck with the chemicals, green water is pretty tough. I havent noticed phosphates causing green water, i've been pputting the stuff in my water weekly.

[3.0CL]

I'll take pics tomorrow :)

[slipknottin]

The reason your water parameters never seemed out of line was because the algae was consuming all the ammonia. If you tested the tank right before the lights came back on id bet the tests would be different.

Light doesnt cause algae blooms, it simply influences which type of algae grows. Nutrient levels are extremely important in both preventing unwanted algae, and making the tank as easy on the fish as possible.

[FishmasteR2002]

Cut down on feedings, regular water changes and things should be back to normal. My 10G looked like this but after a couple of water changes and cutting down on feeding I had the algae under control. Good Luck. :)

[Gumby7]

Let me see if I got this right, you had 10 fish in there for a month with partial water changes and that happened? (and its not in direct sunlight).

I'd suspect either something funky with your source water or you've got a really large nutrient source like a soil potted plant or giant dead fish hidding somewhere.

With respect to your source water, a decent LFS should be able to answer a basic question like "what's in the tap (or local ground water if you're on wells) that I have to worry about". If they can't answer that without resorting to a battery of tests you should shop elsewhere.

And about the large nutrient source - only you can answer that one. In the first picture there appears to be some kind of large plant root ball or something. What is it?

What ever the cause it must be substaintial to cause such a bloom so quickly after setup. Perhaps your tank wasn't cycled and/or your fish load is too great?

I don't know.

Hope it works out.

Gumby