Green Water?

Add more plants , cut light and/or ferts until you get the right balance sometimes it can take a while to get it just right but your green water problem should subside assuming your tank does not sit in front of a sunlit window?

If so might need to relocate it or add a dark background to help block incoming light somewhat or you will have algae issues.

You are definitely not over filtered by any means even with the HOB and the Fluval 305 so keep up the good practice of weekly water changes and when you get the plant/fert/photo period balance right you should see crystal clear water.
 
Simply cutting the photoperiod of the artificial lights may not be enough. If you run the lights 6 hrs a day, but those 6 hours are all at night and the tank receives any appreciable amount of ambient light you still have too llong of a photoperiod. Make sure you cut the later hours of light, say have the lights go out at 9 pm.
 
You caould also do a 3 day blackout. Cover your tank, (lights off of course) with a blanket or even garbage bags for 3 days. No peeking or feeding fish either. That should clear up the tank, but you still have to determine the root cause.
 
Hey everyone. Just thought I'd update you that I went with the blackout method, did a big WC before and after and blacked out for 4 days... tank is CRYSTAL CLEAR now. I think I was just leaving the lights on waaaaay too long. I am now leaving them on 8-9 hours (MAX) a day. I honestly think I was leaving them on like 12-14 before... oops. :/ Hopefully everything is good now. ;)
 
Green water and/or algae, in general.

Having kept aquariums for decades, I have become very unconventional.

When green water "hits" me, or algae, I simply do a water change and begin adding 1 ml hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water in the tank. Somewhere in 3 to 5 days I usually notice an improvement. If not, after the next water change and continuing with the 1 ml of hydrogen peroxide per gal, per day, I will notice an improvement. With more sensitive fish, such as pigmy puffers, etc., I will cut the hydrogen peroxide dosage in half. I continue this for days and/or weeks until the algae has been controlled. And, will start treating again as necessary to control any new outbreaks of algae.

With time and patience, this regimen of treatment will remove coatings of algae off of plants, ornaments, sides of the aquarium, etc. You will also notice a growth acceleration in the plants, and this accelerated growth of plants will always occur unless other factors are limiting their growth. Just wait until you see all the new growth tips spring out on your Java Moss!

I love keeping aquariums, fish, and plants, however, after decades of fighting algae, I had to find an easy and effective method of dealing with it or give up my hobby.

Some plants, such as Vals, seem sensitive to the hydrogen peroxide, so I remove them during treatment. Snails I just leave in the tanks. Indeed, I feel that my love of snails increases my algae problems, since I maintain increased calcium levels for the health of their shells.

So, when algae and green water finally bring you to your knees, give the above a try before giving up the hobby.

Regards,
TA
 
Thanks for this thread! I finally got my 37 gal tank set up. It's planted with a few plants but not overcrowded. Of course decorated with my tank toys. The big snails were doing fine. Moved the cherry shrimp to the big tank to make room for my fancy tiger striped shrimp arriving soon. And it went green! Did a water change, no improvement. I've got the big filter going plus a small sponge filter. I've ordered a bigger sponge filter. And here it's the lights! LOL I've been keeping the lights on for about 16 hours a day so the plants will grow.

I also learned something else by trial and error....
When you buy java moss on ebay, don't just drop it into the tank when it arrives. It goes everywhere! Not a nice little clump.. but everywhere! LOL My newbie button got bigger.
 
something else you may try.. now i have never used this but it is reputed to work. small green willow branches just a few placed in the tank will clear green water they suck nutrients out like nothing else... you cant leave em in all the time as they will starve yuor plants too
 
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