Green water

[Stasher]

Ok, I have a question on for my brother.
He has a 90g with about 12 1" or smaller africans/s.american cichlids in it. The tank is around 3 months old. He is using 2 hagen 802 ph's in the tank for movement and has both a Fluval 304 and 404 for water filtration. His water has been tested constantly and the parameters are all in line.

The problem is that the water in the tank is a cloudy green and you can't even see the back of the tank. He is doing extreme water changes to battle the color of the water but is having no luck. He just did a 75% water change the other day and by the next morning the water was completely green again.

He is unfortunately using tap water but can't afford an RO unit at this time. What can be causing this water born algae bloom. The glass, rocks and sand in the tank are extremely clean, the water is the only problem in the tank. They have reduced feedings significantly and lighting also.

Thank you for any insight into their dilema.

Chris

[StirCrazy]

sounds like phosphates in the tap water.

Steve

[Richer]

A small ammonia/nutrient spike probably caused the green water bloom. All levels are inline, because the algae in the water is absorbing all the nutrients in the water column. Water changes will not fix this problem, as any leftover algae in the water will multiply very quickly. A black out method will work to fix the problem.

Increase the surface aggitation of the tank, do a 50% water change, clean out the mechanical filters in the tank, and/or add more mechanical filters (ie. those powerhead quickfilters). Shut off your lights. Cover the tank with heavy blankets/black garbage bags, and make absolute sure that no light gets into the tank. Leave for 2-3 days. During this time, do not feed your fish. If your friend has plants, don't worry about them. Healthy plants can do without light for a 2-3 days, though some plants can get a little "leggy". Afterwards, remove the tank cover, do another 50% water change and reset the tank to its original setup. Afterwards, just make sure the nutrient levels in your friend's tank is good, and the green pea soup shouldn't show up again.

-Rich

[Stasher]

Originally Posted by Richer

A small ammonia/nutrient spike probably caused the gren water bloom. All levels are inline, because the algae in the water is absorbing all the nutrients in the water column. Water changes will not fix this problem, as any leftover algae in the water will multiply very quickly. A black out method will work to fix the problem.

Increase the surface aggitation of the tank, do a 50% water change, clean out the mechanical filters in the tank, and/or add more mechanical filters (ie. those powerhead quickfilters). Shut off your lights. Cover the tank with heavy blankets/black garbage bags, and make absolute sure that no light gets into the tank. Leave for 2-3 days. During this time, do not feed your fish. If your friend has plants, don't worry about them. Healthy plants can do without light for a 2-3 days, though some plants can get a little "leggy". Afterwards, remove the tank cover, do another 50% water change and reset the tank to its original setup. Afterwards, just make sure the nutrient levels in your friend's tank is good, and the green pea soup shouldn't show up again.

-Rich

Thank-you very much for your input, I will tell him right away.
Chris

[Richer]

Happy to help

Please keep us updated on your friends tank

-Rich

[muck]

Wish I would have know about this board a few years back when I had the same problem in my African Cichlid tank. Would have saved me a lot of grief...

[Stasher]

Originally Posted by Richer

Happy to help

Please keep us updated on your friends tank

-Rich

I definately will.

[Fish Breath]

If he has access to a UV sterilizer run that on it for a day or two and that should clear it up Also Diatom filter may do the trick

[Richer]

I agree that UV sterilizers and diatom filters will work, but blackouts are basically free, so why not try them?

-Rich

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

If you were nearer to Vancouver, I'd loan him my UV unit, but alas, we are a couple of provinces apart. UV is designed for just this sort of problem & since it's only algae & not ick, you could use a faster flow rate & clear up the green water tout de suite. (pardon my French ) A Magnum HOT filter with a micro-filter/water polishing cartridge can function like a small diatom filter.

Good luck.

Anthony