What kind of filter do you have? When I 1st started on FW I had a 55g tank w/a hang on back filter big enough to clean 60g...& mine looked just like yours. The local pet store gave me another hob filter (same kind) and after a couple of days it was clear. You also may need to change the carbon cartridges more frequently if you notice a lot of build up.
can't get rid of cloudy/green water....
- Thread starter aaron7114
- Start date
Its an eclipse 2 filter with a bio wheel too. Most of it is built into the lid except for the long tube of course which goes down in the water.
I've had this tank setup a couple of years ago and never had this problem.
I know the feeling you are having. I used to be the same way. Get really fustrated and move junk around, wash, redo it, and get frustated when it wasn't clear and do it all again. Finally I just chilled out and set myself a rigid routine that I've been on for a littl e over 2 years now.
Just relax a bit. Set a schedule and stick to it. Feed on this day and that day. Leave lights on between this time and that time. Change water on this day and that day twice a week. I promise you your water will clear up, so clear you'll say, '****, look how clear my water is'. You've figited with the tank so much now that the time it takes to clear will be a little longer. But remember ... patience.
When I set a tank up now, I let it run, let it get cloudy, but maintain. 3 to 4 days later I can't even tell there is water in my tank.
Just relax a bit. Set a schedule and stick to it. Feed on this day and that day. Leave lights on between this time and that time. Change water on this day and that day twice a week. I promise you your water will clear up, so clear you'll say, '****, look how clear my water is'. You've figited with the tank so much now that the time it takes to clear will be a little longer. But remember ... patience.
When I set a tank up now, I let it run, let it get cloudy, but maintain. 3 to 4 days later I can't even tell there is water in my tank.
aaron, I had what sounds like the exact situation you're experiencing. It was really strange how it happend all of a sudden and no amount of water changes fixed the problem.
I went against most of the advice on this board and tried a chemical fix. I used this product. http://www.petco.com/product/102594/Aquarium-Pharmaceuticals-AlgaeFix.aspx
Instantly, the water went from green cloudy to a white cloudy. This in itself looked better already. Then over the next 3 days, the white particles were filtered out and my aquarium has never been clearer.
There was no harm to any fish or plants and I am extatic to have my tank back where I can fully enjoy it again.
I went against most of the advice on this board and tried a chemical fix. I used this product. http://www.petco.com/product/102594/Aquarium-Pharmaceuticals-AlgaeFix.aspx
Instantly, the water went from green cloudy to a white cloudy. This in itself looked better already. Then over the next 3 days, the white particles were filtered out and my aquarium has never been clearer.
There was no harm to any fish or plants and I am extatic to have my tank back where I can fully enjoy it again.
Other boards have stated overfeeding as a problem. You have many fish in there, also, and fish wastes are some of the best fertlizers around. If you get some hardy plants (Java moss! Almost impossible to kill, just stick it in there and it will reproduce like crazy, nothing else needed, java fern, anubias barterii, both also very very hard to kill, just attach to a rock and watch it grow, do not bury the rhizome. These plants are about as complicated as See Spot Run.) they will suck up the phosphates and nutrients. You'll have pretty live plants and clear water.
I guess I will give that a shot the next time I go to petco. I hope it works. This green water is really annoying.
actually jave fern, java moss and anubias are notoriously slow growers compared to other stem plants..these do not uptake nitrates etc as fast as other plants. Anacharis(elodea) or some other fast growing nutrient hogs
the idea is to introduce plants that will outcompete the algae and keep it in check
the idea is to introduce plants that will outcompete the algae and keep it in check
None better than Java Moss at absorbing nutrients from the water column IMO. It does become somewhat "invasive" though.
Wow thanks mdwalt1!!! I just bought some of that AlgaeFix like you suggested. It was very expensive, almost $15 with tax. However about 30 minutes after putting it in my tank my water is almost completely clear! Still a little cloudy and green but I bet by in the morning it will be just about crystal clear.
I just hope my fish are still alive because I put some of that fizzing algae destroyers in the tank earlier today.
I haven't ever seen anything work so quickly!
I just hope my fish are still alive because I put some of that fizzing algae destroyers in the tank earlier today.
I haven't ever seen anything work so quickly!
