How do I start over?

G

ggrowney

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Apr 8, 2006
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So my tank is 7 weeks in and it is literally solid green water. Every time I change water it just gets worse and if I leave it it gets worse.

I don't know what the issue is and my N levels are all fine (tank appears to be cycled). My fish look and act fine. I have posted here numerous times. I have not put anything in (trying to follow rules, thought about hydrogen peroxide but I am skeptical as I have bubbles on everything already). I hate to spend the money on I am thinking I need to take out my substrate and replace it with a fancy plant nutrient substrate. I am also thinking about removing the ceramic rings and bio balls in my nano-cube's filter. These are the only things different from my past tanks (I have done 3 tanks as a kid and never had an issue). Does this make sense?
 
ggrowney said:
So my tank is 7 weeks in and it is literally solid green water. Every time I change water it just gets worse and if I leave it it gets worse.

I don't know what the issue is and my N levels are all fine (tank appears to be cycled). My fish look and act fine. I have posted here numerous times. I have not put anything in (trying to follow rules, thought about hydrogen peroxide but I am skeptical as I have bubbles on everything already). I hate to spend the money on I am thinking I need to take out my substrate and replace it with a fancy plant nutrient substrate. I am also thinking about removing the ceramic rings and bio balls in my nano-cube's filter. These are the only things different from my past tanks (I have done 3 tanks as a kid and never had an issue). Does this make sense?
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How much light do you have on the tank? My guess is your tank is getting way too much light and it's causing a huge algae bloom. A new substarte isn't going to change this. Either your bulb is too powerful, your lights are on too long, the tank is getting a lot of sunlight or some combination of all of the above. I would get a dark towel or something and cover up the entire tank for a day or so and leave the lights off. The fish will be fine for a day or two. See if this does anything at all for the problem. If it's the lights on the tank, then consider replacing them or adding a fast growing plant to compete w/the algae or not leaving the lights on as long. If it's direct sun light then you'll need to move the tank (though I suppose you could always board up the window).
 
No sunlight. 2 x 24W, but I had always been told that plants could absorb this (I have lots of plants). The algae went away for a while (about 3 weeks) and the water was white as milk, now it is back to green. Maybe I should listen. I have been ignoring the lights for a while.

Also, couldn't help try something new. I put in the hydrogen peroxide just to see if it helps clear the water. Only thing I have ever added to the tank. If it doesn't work, I am going to have to shut down the tank.
 
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Rent a diatom filter from one of your local fish stores - they are miracle workers! The green water is a single cell algae and it is very opportunistic. It starts when something is out of balance, but once it gets going, it can switch whatever nutrient it is scavenging and stay through many many major water changes. (Not all green water algae looks that green, sometimes it can just look very cloudy). When you rent the filter - our lfs only charges $15. + a deposit on the filter which you get back, you must buy the white powder packet which goes with it. I'd buy at least 2 packets - around $3. ea. Run the filter with one, and when it is totally filled/green and slimey, clean it off and run it with another packet to make sure you have it all.

Once that is done, then you can figure out what what wrong to begin with.
There is an excellenct ariticle on green water at another site - I'll see if I can add a link to it in another letter this morning.

Cathy
 
Thank you. That is helpful advice. I had read about a diatom filter. I don't have a lfs, but I can at least figure out what equipment I need.
 
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