I have a new 55 gallon tank about 6 months old. I got the filter from the pet store guy that was recommended and all was well. I do have one oscar, two catfish, two clown loaches and two plecostimids (sp?) they are rather large about 8 inches each. The problem started a week ago when the water was so clouded with algae even after a 25% water change. I did a full tank clean and now 3 days later, it looks like lake water! Could it be the new filter. I change the filter pads every week! Is there something I could add to the water to clear it up without nuking the fish?
Overgrown With Algae
- Thread starter fishbuddy
- Start date
I would try a blackout before using any chemicals. Get the blackout fabic they sell for windows (or anything that will block the light completely), and cover your tank for a few days. Don't feed your fish during this period either if you can get away with it. Your algae should die without the light source.
Algae needs nutrients to grow like anything else, and you've got a whole tank full of big messy fish. Using a product to nuke the algae won't get rid of the core problem and you'll be right back where you started after awhile.
Is the tank getting direct sunlight?
Are you doing weekly gravel vacs?
Have you evaluated your feeding to see if the fish are eating everything within a few minutes or if there's alot of waste being left?
What sort of turnover does your filter have in relation to your tank size?
How often do you do water changes? How much do you change out?
Is the tank getting direct sunlight?
Are you doing weekly gravel vacs?
Have you evaluated your feeding to see if the fish are eating everything within a few minutes or if there's alot of waste being left?
What sort of turnover does your filter have in relation to your tank size?
How often do you do water changes? How much do you change out?
I'd probably be doing more frequent vacs in your case to help stay on top of any waste in the tank. I'd also try and relocate the tank or set things up to block the sun as much as possible.
Then again, I'd never personally try to keep that many big fish in such a small tank.
Then again, I'd never personally try to keep that many big fish in such a small tank.
And a goldfish?
Do you have a goldfish in with the oscar, 2 plecos, clown loaches and catfish? Or is it a fish that is gold in color?
fishbuddy said:
Do you have a goldfish in with the oscar, 2 plecos, clown loaches and catfish? Or is it a fish that is gold in color?
fishbuddy, i dont mean to offend you but i think your tank is overstocked which is causing your problems...
plecos are poop factories producing a lot of wastes, plus you have a goldfish that also produces a lot of wastes
at this rate you should be doing more than 25% water changes and more frequent ones...
and i dont think you should be changing filter pads every now and then.. just rinse it with your aquarium water, a lot of your beneficial bacteria lives there.. changing it would result in another mini cycle for your tank..
i recomend that you find new homes for some of the fish
good luck
plecos are poop factories producing a lot of wastes, plus you have a goldfish that also produces a lot of wastes
at this rate you should be doing more than 25% water changes and more frequent ones...
and i dont think you should be changing filter pads every now and then.. just rinse it with your aquarium water, a lot of your beneficial bacteria lives there.. changing it would result in another mini cycle for your tank..
i recomend that you find new homes for some of the fish
good luck
Angel, Yes I have a red cap oranda and believe it or not, he and the oscar are best buds. The oscar lets the goldfish "groom" him. He kind of turns his side to the goldfish just like a puppy dog rolling on his back and the goldfish kisses him all along his belly and down his side. But I think some of the others are right about too many big messy fish.