Green water?

[velanarris]

You have an algial bloom. Blackout the tank by covering it with a tarp or other such material. Zero light for 1 week will fix it.

Follow with a 50% water change and ensure the water is aerated as the dying algae will release Nitric Oxide and CO2.

 

[MBilyeu]

I would also do a black out of the tank. Then if the problem comes back, you might try a UV unit in your sump.

 

[FSM]

Do you have any pictures?

 

[perfect_prefect]

You have an algial bloom. Blackout the tank by covering it with a tarp or other such material. Zero light for 1 week will fix it.

Follow with a 50% water change and ensure the water is aerated as the dying algae will release Nitric Oxide and CO2.

if he had a high nitrate count i would agree with this statement but he does not so there is not excess nitrates for the algae to feed on. it could on the other hand be a bacterial bloom to try to compensate for the excess ammonia.

 

[perfect_prefect]

do you rinse both filters at the same time? do you rinse the filters at the same time as a water change? (hence the tank water in a bucket) if you do you may be causing mini cycles. i recommend using an ammonia neutralizer and from here on out staggering your rinsing of filters singly and water changes at relatively even intervals.

 

[ward1066]

2 water changes a week and a ph of 6.0? wow you probably have some acidophilic bacteria growing. I think it can look like green algae.

 

[Zoodiver]

Sounds like a classic algae bloom to me. What are your phosphate levels at? That is probably what it's feeding on. Check your incoming water as well. Often times we forget to run levles on that, and it's introducing things you are trying to get rid of.

Sounds like you have a lot of live stock for such a new tank as well... that might add to the problem.

You're going to need a UV or something to burn off the algae. Mechanical filters like you are running won't pull it out. Killing it off, and repeated water changes will beat it out.

 

[velanarris]

if he had a high nitrate count i would agree with this statement but he does not so there is not excess nitrates for the algae to feed on. it could on the other hand be a bacterial bloom to try to compensate for the excess ammonia.

Most blooms are caused by high phosphates or silicates, especially in new tanks, however, you can have an algal bloom and not read high nitrates during. If he had his water params prior to the green water that's where you'd see the high nitrates.

 

[Ians aro]

I agree with adding a UV sterilizer. I used to have green water till i added my $30 sterilizer from petsmart. I haven't had a tint of green ever since!

 

[velanarris]

I agree with adding a UV sterilizer. I used to have green water till i added my $30 sterilizer from petsmart. I haven't had a tint of green ever since!

I saw that the other day and I was tempted. How well does that model work?