Another Green Water thread-Did I miss something?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
B

Behemoth

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 1, 2007
541
0
0
Arkansas
I have green water in my 6ft Oceanic. The last five days I have cut food down to one small feeding. I have the lights out for the majority of the day. I did not do a water change this week (cause someone mentioned that the repetitive water changes spurred the growth).

So what now?

I read that UV sterilizer might help some but not really the answer. Was thinking of adding more filtration...

I currently have two emperor 400's hanging on the back with carbon and pot scrubbies.

I have the following in the tank:

3 FH
1 pacu
5 Nics
1 RTC
1 TSN
1 large common pleco
1 johanna creni
1 Green Severum
1 Purple Rose Queen

Things that I know...

1. Its a little cramped in the tank. But all fish are around the 4"-5" mark. The pond is already in the works for the Pacu and the two catfish. So please those that take great joy in saying.."Wow that Pacu is going to get big quick...what are your plans for the future...." I KNOW.
2. The three FH and the RQ will not make it in the same tank forever. No agression problems yet but will seperate when I need to...

Things I don't know...
How do I get rid of da green water....HELP.
 
I was doing a couple of large water changes a week to combat the green water...but I guess that is bad??
 
What did you get and how much did you pay for it?
 
No other responses besides the UV sterilizer.

I know this topic is a repeated one. But I have done what the other threads have suggested.

Do I need additional filtration?
 
JCA;1475381; said:
Im telling you...my UV Sterilizer solved my green water problem overnight.
Click to expand...

I gotta roll with JCA on this one. Definitely get the UV. If you have a green water problem after that then you have a problem
 
Water changes MAY cause algae blooms, but I doubt they would be bad in your case. Algae (and other plants) use nitrogen to grow. Fish make nitrogen waste, fish food makes nitrogen waste, and there is always at lease a little nitrogen waste in the tap water (chloramine and/or nitrates). Tap water also has other goodies in it that your tank may/may not have in abundance, like phosphates, iron and calcium which algae (and other plants) use. So, if you change the water, you may ADD things that the algae will use to grow.

In your case, with all those fish, I think there is still plenty of nitrates in your water (a simple test kit will confirm or deny). I don't think you will raise the parts-per-million of nitrates with the water change. So, what you missed:
1) Cover the tank. Cover it cover it cover it. NO LIGHT like for a WEEK.
2) NO FOOD for like a week. You will not kill your fish by not feeding them for a week.
3) After a week, do a water change and feed the fish. IF the water is still green, try again.

UV sterilizers ROCK, but they are not necessary. I do not own one yet, and I don't have green water. To prevent further green water outbreaks:
1) Do not overfeed.
2) Do regular tank maintenance (water changes weekly).
3) Do not use more lights than your tank (and any live plants in it) need.
4) Avoid direct sunlight on the tank.
Follow those steps and you will be fine.
 
Thanks for the answer. I greatly appreciate it.
 
I can agree with Merbeast. I do not think a UV is necessary. In your case though I would def look into the purchase of. I put one on my tank as a preventative measure. I've never had any green water problems or such. In your case you already have the problem so you will be buying it to fix the problem and then to prevent future problems. If you have the money for it buy it. Trust me you will love the difference
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom