LilaBean

I have been having a green algea issue--my tank is getting really cloudy--i took out all the stones that had the algea growing on them and have been doing extra large water changes-- but there is this sudsy stuff that appeared on the surface of the water? i'm stumped--fish are all doing well. what could this be?? could it be from the alga?? and how do i get rid of it?? i think after today's water chnage i will do a black out--any ideas?? Lila

Phloxface

Could be excess phosphate causing the suds. Algae uses the phosphate as food so the phosphate is what is causing your algae breakout. I have that problem with my tapwater. I have found a big reduction in algae after using a product called "Phos-X" which is a small bag of stuff you put in your filter that will absorb phosphate, nitrite and nitrates. One bag lasts 2 months and treat up to 15 gallons. http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...roduct=HG11348 It's available at most large pet stores like Petsmart or good fish stores.* Also, do a 3 day blackout (leave your tank lights off) to kill any algae you have, vacuum the gravel, scrub it off the glass and ornaments, clean the filter and change the filter cartridge. Make sure your tank is not getting any sunlight through a window as this will cause more algae to grow.
I also use a Brita filter on my faucet and use filtered water for my water changes. It takes out a lot of the bad stuff like excess phosphate. You have to attack algae from every side, not just one way to really get rid of it. I had two tanks that were completely green and disgusting and I thought I'd have to throw out my white gravel, but now the algae is gone and my gravel is sparkling white again.

LilaBean

That's what my tank is looking like right now. Thank you so much-- That does and doesn't suprise me ironically. I noticed that my tap water is cloudy whetehr hot or cold from the faucet and thought that was strange--we too have a brita pitcher we use for drinking water--i never thought that the tap water was causing the problem in the fish tank because i treat it everytime the same anyways--but the faucet water was funny and i noticed that! : I will definatly try the "phos X" ! Thanks Again-- Lila