ToxicChloe

how do I get rid of green water when I have live plants?? I've never had this before and the only thing I've done different recently is use API Leaf Zone for my plants. I have two tanks in the same room that receive the same amount of light and the only one with the green water problem is the one that I used the Leaf Zone in.

navyscuba

Well when you have green water and green algae growing on the glass means your nitrates are too hi and you phosphate is too hi too. I prob do a water change and clean the glass and rinse the filter media.

ToxicChloe

i did that, well not the glass. I don't see anything on the glass, there might be but I don'[t see anything. I have a 29 gallon tank and took about 8 or 9 gallons out. I also just changed it a few days ago as well. I don't know what to do anymore, I've had nothing but problems with this tank since I set it up. I have 3 and only have problems with this one. I'm tempted to buy a new tank and start over

navyscuba

What fish do you have on it? what light you have? how many watts?

ToxicChloe

Redtail Black Variatus, mollies, platies, danios/glo fish, mystery snails, ghost shrimp, molly fry, clown pleco, and a dwarf gourami. It's a typical aquarium light, I haven't changed it since I got it.

pepetj

API's Leaf Zone is chelated iron. Essential micronutrient for plants.

You are likely experiencing a transient algae bloom. You could let it be or intervene with it but don't worry too much. Green-like water is likely an indication of good conditions for algae to thrive (e.g. high levels of macro and micro nutrients in the water column).

I would try a 2 hour lights off period in the middle of your usual schedule of lights on with at least three or four 30 minutes off time here and there. Keep feeding sparingly for a few days. This won't upset your plants but should impact your algae significantly. Daily small partial water changes (say 10%) could ease things out.

Pepetj
Santo Domingo

ToxicChloe

okay, should I still put the leaf zone in there or hold off on that or stop using it. I just switched to this plant food, I was using Tetra Flora Pride and my water never turned green.

Alessa

I've had some similar experience using supplements for plants in my planted 5 gallon. Usually the algae is manageable until I add it and then I experience a sudden algae bloom. I am assuming that there is an excess of nutrients in your water. I would stop using the leaf zone and wait. If the plants do well without it and the algae problem stops then I would not see a need to use it.