I want clear water

[Mgamer20o0]

maybe you want to check this page out.
http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=9


Green water:
Green unicellular algae will sometimes reproduce so rapidly that the water will turn green. This is commonly called an "algae bloom" and is usually caused by too much light like direct sunlight. An algae bloom can be removed by filtering with micron cartridges or diatom filters. UV sterilizers can prevent the bloom in the first place. Green water is very useful in the raising of daphnia and brine shrimp. Film algae Grows on the aquarium glass and forms a thin haze. Easily removed by wiping the glass. Considered normal with the higher light levels needed for good plant growth.

 

[jere1558]

Sounds like you need to calm down....and leave the tank alone for a few weeks. Maybe you are OVER cleaning. Make sure you have a good filter. We experienced cloudy water after initial setup...but that went away. We now do thorough gravel vacs once a month, only replacing 1/3 of the water, wash the filter media in old tank water while doing the change, NEVER wash tank decs, use dechlorinator for the amount of water you replaced, add aquarium salt to 1 tbs for every five galons. Our fish are healthy and FULL of energy. (and we keep the temp. around 72-75. Our water is clear.

Either you have very clean fish or you don't feed much! Gravel vac only once a month! 1/3 water change once a month. Poor fishies! Not enuf to keep your tank clean. Your water may "LOOK" clear but there are things in there you can't see, but your fish friends experience. Get a Python. Once a week 40-50% water changes....piece of cake. Your fish will love you!

 

[fishcatch22]

sounds like a green algae bloom. try a blackout to reduce it, I also reccomend algae magic, a product made by weiss organics. it is 100% natural, and gets rid of algae pretty good IME.

 

[liv2padl]

NEVER wash tank decs, use dechlorinator for the amount of water you replaced, add aquarium salt to 1 tbs for every five galons.

there's no reason NOT to wash tank decorations. the use of salt in a freshwater tank is generally accepted by hobbyists in the know, as not recommended.

 

[ergo sum]

Are you adding any fertilization? The plants need to out perform the algae. Did you change anything at all just before this happened? Did the low angle of the winter sun start hitting the tank? I get sunlight in some of my tanks at certain times of year. Some people get green water after they heavily prune a tank, or remove a plant. There seem to be all kinds of catalysts.

It is not the light per se that causes the green water the algae is just taking advantage of the conditions in the tank. If the plants are healthy and growing and if there are enough of them the algae won’t be able to compete. That means that the plants must have everything they need to grow within the limits of the light you provide them. If the light is high the nutrients must be high. If the light is not as high the nutrient requirements are less demanding but they still need to be provided.

Blacking out the tank will kill off the algae in the short run. But what you need to do is try and figure out the solution in the long run. If you have good light and good CO2 you need a good fertilization routine and some fast growing nutrient hogs. Then you will need a good pair of scissors.

or something like that.

 

[jamie1972]

We DO have a python, thank you.....and our tank is both clean...and healthy. I had a heart to heart with the fish last night.....they said, "Thanks, experts.....but we like it here." lol

I know we're not the only ones out there following the "less is more" method......the rest are just afraid to speak up because they get flamed on this site.

Please....no flaming....I'm not here to fight...just gather info.

 

[lekky]

check your phosphate levels

 

[Lucas Kane]

I do not have any fertilizer atm so i have not used any with my plants. But they all seem to be growing well except the Cabomba that keeps geting up rooted and i only have 2 stalks of that left.

Here is a list of what i have plant wise.

Micro Sword
Anubias Nana
Java Fern
Green Cryptocoryne
Anacharis
Water Sprite
and the Cabomba

 

[Blues14]

I agree. I have a 180gallon with 4 gouramis, 2 cory's, 4 small angels and a couple plecos. I couldnt imagine my water bill if i changed half the water every week. When they all get bigger, yah, maybe 1/3 water change ever other week. As long as water is well below tolerable toxin levels, there is no reason to change water. Live and let live.lol

 

[mel_20_20]

You really do need to know what your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate levels are in your tank. As soon as you can get a liquid test kit as the strips aren't accurate. The API Master test kit is really good, but I understand there are some others out there.

I'm a believer in keeping your water pristine. In the wild the fish are in water that is constantly flowing or otherwise being kept free from the build up of ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, etc. The ph tends to be stable in their natural environment, which may not be true in the aquarium.

We keep them in a box, so to speak, and they are contained, along with all by products of their existence in those confined quarters.

Keeping their water fresh and clean will keep them healthier and, I would bet, happier than fish in water in which those toxic waste materials are present.

Nitrates, of course, are only harmful in higher levels and are, in fact, great for your plants.

My point being; you need to be testing your parameters so you know what's going on with the water chemistry and can react with the appropriate action when needed.

I'm no expert, in fact I still feel like something of a newbie, but I have learned from this forum and the majority of it's members that keeping on top of water quality through testing and water changes is the way to have a healthy happy tank.

I have used salt a time or two when I had a nitrite spike because it is beneficial under those circumstances, but otherwise I don't add it to the tank as a matter of course.

Sounds like the others made a diagnosis though, and that you have an algae bloom. I haven't had any experience with that yet, (keeping my fingers crossed, lol).

Hope everything works out well for you.