Help with green water

[Sunny247]

Hi folks, I’m relatively new to the fish keeping game. I’ve done my research thoroughly and everything has been going well so far. However one issue that I can’t seem to get around is a green tinge to my water. It’s not really bad and murky, but there is definitely a green hue to it. I’m guessing this is algae but I don’t have any actual algae growing on the glass or decor, it’s just the water colour. Even water changes don’t help.

A little background, so my tank has been running for around 4 months, it took 7 weeks to cycle (by adding ammonia). Even during the cycle phase I still had green tinted water. It’s very lightly stocked, 6 juvenile SA cichlids in a 85 gallon tank with FX4 filter. One java fern and a few tiny anubias nana petite. I can post some pics If that would help?

My tank is located in my kitchen, and although it can get quite bright in there, it’s never in any direct sunlight. And my led lights are mostly off, I only have them on for maybe 2-3 hours a day.

Any help or advice on this green water issue would be greatly appreciated!

 

[twentyleagues]

Is it possibly the glass on the tank? Put some water in a clear glass from the tank and see if it's green still. If still green do water changes to see if that helps.
Uv sterilizer will clear the algae in the water if that is what it is.

 

[Sunny247]

Is it possibly the glass on the tank? Put some water in a clear glass from the tank and see if it's green still. If still green do water changes to see if that helps.
Uv sterilizer will clear the algae in the water if that is what it is.

thank you. Well when I did like a 95% water change then the water was clear for about a day, then it became slightly green again. I’ve heard that UV sterilisers don’t actually work that well, would you say different? And do they need to be on all the time? Thanks!

 

[twentyleagues]

thank you. Well when I did like a 95% water change then the water was clear for about a day, then it became slightly green again. I’ve heard that UV sterilisers don’t actually work that well, would you say different? And do they need to be on all the time? Thanks!

They work fine for certain things. I don't believe the stuff going around about alot of parasite control with small units and high levels of flow but algae control is well withing the realm of possibility of most units.
Yes they need to be working all the time to be most effective.
That room must get a ton of light for long periods every day.

 

[DN328]

I had a tank before my current one and had severe algae bloom during cycling and it turned green. I literally could not see through a 30" width tank. I stuck a Green Killing machine in and water was crystal clear. Never had the problem again since the cycling.

I don't know how affective it really was as a sterilizer, but it truly works as a clarifier chemical free. Try it and let us know.

 

[duanes]

What is your normal water change/vacuuming of the substrate schedule?
Do you know the tank waters nitrate concentration in ppm?
What is your feeding schedule?
How often do you clean gunk from the filter?
I'm also skeptical about UV parasite claims, but for algae UV should help, as long as water changes, vacuuming of substrate and regular cleaning of the filterer adequate.

 

[Sunny247]

What is your normal water change/vacuuming of the substrate schedule?
Do you know the tank waters nitrate concentration in ppm?
What is your feeding schedule?
How often do you clean gunk from the filter?
I'm also skeptical about UV parasite claims, but for algae UV should help, as long as water changes, vacuuming of substrate and regular cleaning of the filterer adequate.

Thanks guys!

I water change about 50-60% each week. And vacuum the substrate every other week. My nitrates don’t get very high at all, by the time it comes to water change day it’s never been above 10ppm, usually it’s 5ppm. I feed twice a day and I make sure to not over feed. I’ve only just cleaned my filter out, as it was a new set up I didn’t want to clean it too early but there wasn’t a huge amount of crud in there. But generally I will clean my filter every month to 6 weeks. Sounds like UV is the way to go!

 

[Sunny247]

I had a tank before my current one and had severe algae bloom during cycling and it turned green. I literally could not see through a 30" width tank. I stuck a Green Killing machine in and water was crystal clear. Never had the problem again since the cycling.

I don't know how affective it really was as a sterilizer, but it truly works as a clarifier chemical free. Try it and let us know.

I’ve just ordered the same one! Will let you know it goes!

 

[DN328]

I’ve just ordered the same one! Will let you know it goes!

Looking forward to hearing what you see, or don't see.