Ok, start out by saying im new, not sure how this stuff works exactly but here it goes. I have a 90 gallon tank w/ baby goliath tiger (about 8 inch), 10 inch fire eel, 6 inch pink tail, 17 inch gold stripe knife, 6 inch syno cat, L-091 pleco. I cant keep my tank clean. Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate are all minimal, but i have this whitish bacterial cloudiness in the water which I have heard is ok, but within 2 weeks of cloudiness it turns horribly tinted green. I have tried all sorts of remedy meds from all lfs around me, gave up on those. Duh, figured out it is algea. Oh I am using a penguin 400 external filter with phosphate bags, poly-fill media, and normal cartridges. I am doing my water changes weekly, was told to do 15%. I have broken down my tank, disposed of all gravel, river rocks, boiled everything I reused for at least 30 seconds, within 2 weeks of reestablishment same freaking thing. I just bought a UV filter, will set up tomorrow, think I am doing the right thing? Maybe it is a problem with my town water? Sorry it is so long, thankyou to anyone for advice!!!!!!!!!
Anyone help my nasty tank?
- Thread starter unmegaloman
- Start date
Sounds like you have algae due to sunlight possibly hitting your tank. I had the same problem with mine even though I did 30% water changes every second day. I tried covering the tank completely for 1 week straight but that didn't work, it just came back. The only thing that worked for me was a UV sterilizer. I used for a few days and never had another outbreak since (1 year ago). I highly recommend them.
Though your description says you have an algae bloom, I think understanding the nitrogen cycle is your first priority. You should have zero ammonia and nitrite Your bioload is too much for your filtration. You are on your way to losing fish.
Below is a link to get you started, and you better plan on getting another filter.
http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm
Below is a link to get you started, and you better plan on getting another filter.
http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm
I had this problem when my 55 gallon use to be upstairs in the family room for a show tank. Had almost 10+ hours of sunlight each day and had major problem with algea... By your stock I'm guessing you don't have enough filteration. I do around 40+ gallon water changes daily on my 180 gallon now just to keep all the fish happy! And me too. 
(poo free tank).
Personally I would just go with the Goliath as for now in the 90.
(poo free tank).Personally I would just go with the Goliath as for now in the 90.
The tank is in sunlight for about 5 hours a day. Has never bothered it this bad though. It has been set up for almost 4 years and this is the first problem like this ive had. I hate to sound like such a novice, but I do appreciate the help, sounds like stepping up filtration and using the UV sterilizer might help. Thank you.
im still sorta new at this too but i am wondering if u maybe have too much fish for your tank size does anyone else agree if so what is the recommended fish to tank size ratio
You would be amazed at how many fish you can keep in your tank with the right filtration and water change schedule. To help you in this instance, I would:
1) Reduce feeding schedules. Your fish will be ok eating 2-3 times a week.
2) Increase your water changes to at least 1 time per week until the problem goes away.
3) If the blooms persist, black out your tank for a week with no food for the fish (they will be ok).
4) If your pocket book can handle it, add another filter (my favorites include fx5, ac110 and emperor 400) and/or a UV sterilizer.
Always stay up with checking your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels. Ammonia and nitrite should be "0", and your nitrates should be below "80" (the lower the better, I do water changes before I hit 20 ppm on nitrates).
1) Reduce feeding schedules. Your fish will be ok eating 2-3 times a week.
2) Increase your water changes to at least 1 time per week until the problem goes away.
3) If the blooms persist, black out your tank for a week with no food for the fish (they will be ok).
4) If your pocket book can handle it, add another filter (my favorites include fx5, ac110 and emperor 400) and/or a UV sterilizer.
Always stay up with checking your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels. Ammonia and nitrite should be "0", and your nitrates should be below "80" (the lower the better, I do water changes before I hit 20 ppm on nitrates).
Jhitsos;2598041; said:
The rule of thumb is 1 cubic inch of fish per gallon of water. This can change based on tank shape, filtration, amount of feed, and water change schedule. For example, "Japanese style" tanks are overstocked like crazy, but they are also over-filtered like crazy and get consistent water changes often.