Green Water Again?

[TechAquaria]

Have a new theory as to the root of the problem: clogged intake filter on the UV sterilizer, which had reduced the flow to practically nothing. Forgot to clean it during the last few water changes, I guess. So I learned that lesson, and it also appears that after three years my tank is now dependent upon the sterilizer. I purchased it earlier in the year as a last resort to a severe previous bout with green water that resisted other, more natural efforts at a solution.

There is nothing more natural than UV light for your aquarium! Without it, mother nature would have a lot more "pea soup" ponds, lakes and rivers!

It is one of the few disinfection methods which is HIGHLY effective against viruses. Unfortunately, most chemicals, biologicals which can kill viruses are better at killing other tank occupants!

Regards,
TA

 

[tackful]

Interesing, thanks. Makes me think of Diana Walstad's method, which I believe uses only natural sunlight. As a relative novice, I still wonder why we are advised that sunlight causes algae, whereas proper electric light tends not to.

 

[coach_z]

can we get more info about your tank? size (gallons), lighting (type, watts and duration), ambient lighting, Dosing routine(type and amount), water change schedule(times/week, and percentage) and anything else we might want to know about?

 

[TechAquaria]

Interesing, thanks. Makes me think of Diana Walstad's method, which I believe uses only natural sunlight. As a relative novice, I still wonder why we are advised that sunlight causes algae, whereas proper electric light tends not to.

Well, the studies I have seen don't show that dramatic an increase in plants output past 5500-6500K. Sunlight has a much "broader spectrum" of light frequencies than the lights we employ on our aquariums; and, although this must be some sort of factor influencing efficiency--I believe the ~1.4kw of light per square meter will just naturally stimulate plants. If you have ever "over amped" your aquarium with light, like 5w per gal, I feel you begin to approach the growth caused by the sun.

Like any machine, you supply more power in (sunlight-light) and you get more power out (plant growth.)

Addition: Only about 4% of light from the sun is UV (consisting of UVA, UVB, UVC), and of that 4% only about 2% of that actually reaches the earths surface, THANK GOODNESS. If that 4% UV ever was successful at "puncturing" the earths atmosphere and reaching the surface, it would begin to sterilize the earth of very large species--such as the Giant Redwoods, Elephants and Humpback Whales!

Regards,
TA

 

[tackful]

Very informative, thank you. As for tank specifics: 29 gal,3 1/2 yrs old, AH 55 watt CF 10 hrs, heavily planted, DIY co2, ADA Aquasoil (now exhausted), 25 tetras and 1 SAE, and the following dry ferts: potassium sulfate, nitrate, and phosphate, and Flourish and Flourish Iron. I've had difficulty in finding the proper balance, particularly for the Wisteria, after the substrate ran out. Also have Rotala Macondra, Parrot's Feather, and Java Fern.

 

[coach_z]

from the sounds of it you have an imbalance of ferts and co2 in your tank. if i were you i would pick up a bag of trace (csm+b) and start dosing according to the EI method.

a UV Sterilizer IMHO is like putting a bandaid on a severed arm. you have an underlying problem (imbalance) that is getting covered up the use of a uv sterilizer.

 

[TechAquaria]

from the sounds of it you have an imbalance of ferts and co2 in your tank. if i were you i would pick up a bag of trace (csm+b) and start dosing according to the EI method.

a UV Sterilizer IMHO is like putting a bandaid on a severed arm. you have an underlying problem (imbalance) that is getting covered up the use of a uv sterilizer.

In my humble opinion, ignoring the need for UV in the balance of the aquarium is only for those who which to constantly test, tinker, and toy with their systems (attempt to adjust for the imbalance caused by being "UV dark")--when one tires of this, and wants to get serious, slap sufficient UV on the system and be done with green water--forever!

Regards,
TA

 

[coach_z]

In my humble opinion, ignoring the need for UV in the balance of the aquarium is only for those who which to constantly test, tinker, and toy with their systems (attempt to adjust for the imbalance caused by being "UV dark")--when one tires of this, and wants to get serious, slap sufficient UV on the system and be done with green water--forever!

Regards,
TA

regarding above in red:
i havent tested my tank in weeks...and on average i test my water quarterly....i have had no problems, and there are many on this forum whom i have ran into who state the same thing as i do: proper light, EI dosing, proper co2 = happy healthy clear algae free tank.

 

[TechAquaria]

regarding above in red:
i havent tested my tank in weeks...and on average i test my water quarterly....i have had no problems, and there are many on this forum whom i have ran into who state the same thing as i do: proper light, EI dosing, proper co2 = happy healthy clear algae free tank.

I don't understand the logic of that, IN RELATION to what I stated.

You are saying they only have to get the nutrients, lights right just once and they are done with green water? Never need to test, never have to toy around constantly tweaking things? That no tests to ascertain the reason for the green water is necessary?

I said, in other words, UV is the only "set it once, forget it forever fix" there is! (well, ignoring bulb replacing and normal maintenance.)

I mean, I just don't get it ...

Regards,
TA

 

[coach_z]

I don't understand the logic of that, IN RELATION to what I stated.

You are saying they only have to get the nutrients, lights right just once and they are done with green water? Never need to test, never have to toy around constantly tweaking things? That no tests to ascertain the reason for the green water is necessary?

I said, in other words, UV is the only "set it once, forget it forever fix" there is! (well, ignoring bulb replacing and normal maintenance.)

I mean, I just don't get it ...

Regards,
TA

how it relates? you state "set your UV and forget it forever fix" i say set your dosing, light, co2 and forget it. i find your theory to be inaccurate because the "fix" that you mentioned isn't actually "fixing" anything at all it is simply covering things up. by fine tuning your light, co2 and EI method you actually fix your problems by providing the proper conditions for optimal plant growth.

for further clarification on my/our end do you suggest having a non-regimented dosing routine where plants either receive too much or too little nutrients and all problems that arise will be solved with the addition of UV lighting?