green gnats in my aquarium?

I saw these same little buggers in a 10gal a friend of mine gave up on. He tried everything to keep fish alive in it and I don't think he knew about the cycle etc. Anyway, when he asked if I wanted it and I said sure, I'd take another tank I went over to break it down for him. There were hundreds of these little larve, not to mention the gnats, slightly bigger than a fruit fly and lime green. I never did find out what they were. I checked the tetra whisper filter he had on the back and the cartridge was absolutely crawling. Also the gravel was full of em once I got the water drained. Your problem may not be confined to the filter I'm afraid. Hope someone can chime in with a species or soultion. My solution was to let the tank sit outside till the water dried up, dispose of the gravel and filter cartridge and bleach the heck out of everything else. Keep in mind this was a full on infestation in a 10 gal. I can't imagine the potential for a larger tank.
 
Just did a W/C and looked a little closer and I can see them!(the larvae) I also watched what I vacuumed up and saw thousands. ??? :jaw-dropping:
 
katana1200 said:
I saw these same little buggers in a 10gal a friend of mine gave up on. He tried everything to keep fish alive in it and I don't think he knew about the cycle etc. Anyway, when he asked if I wanted it and I said sure, I'd take another tank I went over to break it down for him. There were hundreds of these little larve, not to mention the gnats, slightly bigger than a fruit fly and lime green. I never did find out what they were. I checked the tetra whisper filter he had on the back and the cartridge was absolutely crawling. Also the gravel was full of em once I got the water drained. Your problem may not be confined to the filter I'm afraid. Hope someone can chime in with a species or soultion. My solution was to let the tank sit outside till the water dried up, dispose of the gravel and filter cartridge and bleach the heck out of everything else. Keep in mind this was a full on infestation in a 10 gal. I can't imagine the potential for a larger tank.
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This is horrible news! This makes me not even want to open up my filter. It sounds disgusting. I would try to start over but this isn't an option. I'm using sand plus I don't have a extra tank for my aro. He's about 10" now. And it's winter here in Ohio so I'm SOL!

Big Mike said:
Just did a W/C and looked a little closer and I can see them!(the larvae) I also watched what I vacuumed up and saw thousands. ??? :jaw-dropping:
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:yuck: Sorry to hear you ahve the same problem as me. It's so gross. I'm just glad my aro doesn't seem it mind them. But we need a solution quick. It's a never ending cycle of scooping out these gnats.
 
TookayS2K said:
This is horrible news! This makes me not even want to open up my filter. It sounds disgusting. I would try to start over but this isn't an option. I'm using sand plus I don't have a extra tank for my aro. He's about 10" now. And it's winter here in Ohio so I'm SOL!



:yuck: Sorry to hear you ahve the same problem as me. It's so gross. I'm just glad my aro doesn't seem it mind them. But we need a solution quick. It's a never ending cycle of scooping out these gnats.
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Ya IDK what to do. They don't bother my Oscar either. I've been doing extra W/C's and gravel vacs to see if I can get rid of them,but they are not gone yet!!
 
Please let me know if you do find a solution. I'll be sure to do the same.

On a side note. How do you guys clean your filters? You guys say I can't replace the filter with my new one so whats the difference between cleaning it?

On the magnum 350 manual it says you need to take the sleeve out, replace or wash. Then take the micron filter and soak it 1/3 bleach and water over night.
 
No definitely not glass worms. When the larvae is young they look like tiny air bubbles. The gnats are lime green in color and float on top of the water. I'll try to take pics but they are just too small.
 
I'm gonna try aquarium salt and see what that does. I will add it over the next few days when I do my WC's. :idea:
 
i've never seen the larvae, but i have these gnats too in my 6g. i only have about 20 or so, and when i open the hood they come out at me and its really frustrating. they mostly stay on the filter pad more than the water surface, maybe they eat grunge/plant stuff?
 
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