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February 26th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Green water .. ugghh
So after almost two years with the 55 going, it appeared that for no apparent reason the tank started to get cloudy on me. Then the water is starting to turn green. Ive never had this problem before so I did some research on older threads on this subject. At least I know that its not harmful for the fish. Good thing!
I also read that a blackout may work in ridding the algae bloom. I dont want to go that route tho. I would feel terribly bad for the fish to be kept in total darkness for 3-4 days as it would be so unnatural for them. I read about willow branches but in the middle of Feb were would I find some that were not dormant? 
The only reason I can come up with for the algae bloom is that I increased the amount of food I was feeding the fish when the BR Parrots came along. They are such piggies that I felt I had to add more than usual. The culprit may be the Spirolina brine shrimp since it is green with veggie matter in it. So I have omitted that from their diet and they have to deal with the plain Brine shrimp which for some reason they really do not care for. jeesh...
Im waiting on the delivery of the python that is supposed to be here today and that will make the frequent water changes much easier.
This tank is where I have extra sponges gathering BB for the new tank and I dont know if transfering the media to the new tank will introduce the green algae to the new tank? I want to be able to move the JDs and convict to the 55 when the 125 is ready for fish and hate the thought that now I have to deal with this algae problem...
thanks for the vent!  | 
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February 26th, 2009
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| HI Kate, ugh, how frustating.
Did you come across this thread that it was suggested to using willow branches?
Here it is: Green Water | |
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February 26th, 2009
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| Hi Lucy
yes I did.. I went through the water conditions forums and read every thread that started with 'green water help' lol... I mentioned the willow branches in the OP and now wondering if being dormant would matter at this time of year on whether they would still work or not? | |
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February 26th, 2009
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|  Sorry, missed that. Good question. Here in Tn the daffodils are blooming. I forget that you're alot colder up there.
I wonder if you could get some from a florist. | |
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February 26th, 2009
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucy  Sorry, missed that. Good question. Here in Tn the daffodils are blooming. I forget that you're alot colder up there.
I wonder if you could get some from a florist. | hmmm now that is a good idea!  I can always check. 
Yep it still cold up here but no snow on the ground... I think the high today should be in the high 40's to possible 50*. Ahhh the daffys are starting to bloom there eh? I think we are going to have an end to winter here soon, for whatever reason our animals are starting to shed awfully early this year. | |
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February 26th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| I have a tank that gets far more sunlight than it really should and and green water syndrome in it because of that.
The room is south facing so it cant be helped.
I found marimo balls really useful in controlling the algae by out competing it. | |
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February 26th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| that's so frustrating!  i'm sorry to hear that. unfortunately i don't have much to add in the way of solving the issue. | |
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February 26th, 2009
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| | Fish Mentor
| Yeah, that is frustrating. Sorry. I've never experienced green water before so I am no help. | |
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February 26th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Thanks.. Ive never experienced it before either, its all new to me as well. 
My plan instead of covering up the tank with the fish is to move them all to the 125 hopefully this weekend if another problem can be solved (python issue but that is for another thread). I was not going to do this, but it seems that by moving them to the new tank and monitoring the water perimeters there I can then cover the empty tank in total darkness to get rid of the algae before moving the JDs and convict into that tank.
Thats the only thing I can think of at this point. | |
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February 26th, 2009
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| | Fish Addict
| what about trying a small HOB UV unit? | |
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February 26th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| if its from the food, it should go away now that you stopped using it...in my 75 gal, my bf had bought some of those green hikari pellets for the JD's that are suppose to give them more color..the only thing it colored, was my tank water LOL ...those have gone to the trash needless to say....also, those parrots are big poo'ers and if they are eating green food, they are going to poo green ...so it could be a combo of both...if there is no green algae on the deco, tank walls, or subtrate, id say its the food not so much algae per say...a good gravel vac and 50% water change will let you know...run a carbon for a week and that should help alot also...NO FREAKING OUT ALLOWED ...with the new tank getting closer to set up, only happy thoughts  | |
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February 26th, 2009
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawnie if its from the food, it should go away now that you stopped using it...in my 75 gal, my bf had bought some of those green hikari pellets for the jd's that are suppose to give them more color..the only thing it colored, was my tank water LOL ...those have gone to the trash needless to say....also, those parrots are big poo'ers and if they are eating green food, they are going to poo green ...so it could be a combo of both...if there is no green algae on the deco, tank walls, or subtrate, id say its the food not so much algae per say...a good gravel vac and 50% water change will let you know...run a carbon for a week and that should help alot also...NO FREAKING OUT ALLOWED ...with the new tank getting closer to set up, only happy thoughts | LOL Shawnie...
thats the strange thing about it. When I look head on into the tank, there is no green water, no green on the decor and none in the filter or on the white bio orbs. BUT when I look in from the sides of the tank, I can hardly see the other end with the green tint to the water. It just doesnt make any sense to me, why does it look green when looking in at the side, but not the front of the tank?
I used the python today for the first time, (I will save my comments on that for another thread, just let me say.. uggh.) lol I did almost a 50% water change and I also did one on monday but the water is still cloudy and greenish tint from the sides of the tank. I just dont get it.
I know if it was an algae bloom it would be on the decor as well. I will run the carbon and see what happens and stay away from the Spirolina Brine Shrimp. I would really rather cycle the big tank first before adding fish in there if I can help it.
Thanks Lew, I have heard of the UV filters, not sure what they are tho? I will look into that.
thanks again | |
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March 6th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| The 55g looks like a bad Christmas wrap job! lol... The BR Parrots have been moved to the 125g and now the tank is completely covered and blocking out any light. Will see how it does in four days time... Hopefully the black out will kill the green algae. | |
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March 6th, 2009
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| I hope it does the trick! Are you going to lose the cycle? | |
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March 7th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucy I hope it does the trick! Are you going to lose the cycle? | I believe the time line for black out is 36-48 hours on the first try. I have thought of adding a few drops of ammonia during this time. But I also thought there was so much established BB in the filter and the gravel that maybe I didnt need to? But on second thoughts.. it would probably be a good idea to sneak some ammonia in there tonight with lights off in the room.
Thanks for the reminder... I really do NOT want to loose the cycle, since I want to put the JDs in there when the water is clear. | |
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March 7th, 2009
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| | Fish Addict
| There Are Some Old Threads About This. Try Searching Them In The Search Bar. Hopefully You'll Get Your Answer. Good Luck! | |
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March 7th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| This is my turn with the green water, I would suggest covering it with a heavy blanket also. Flush your filter media good, I added an extra layer from cutting a new one in half. Your filter media will have all the algea in it when its over. My link : Posible Algae Bloom ?
Last edited by Toxic; March 7th, 2009 at 09:43 AM.
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March 9th, 2009
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| Woopiee the black out did the trick!
#1 photo of the green yucky water...
#2 photo, after four days of black out! It did the trick, the water was crystal clear, all readings were great, 0 for ammonia and nitrite and the nitrate was very high tho, so a 50% water change, a good vacuum and the tank was ready to go.
#3 photo: I added the two JDs from the 29 and they seem very happy with the room. | |
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March 9th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| It really looks great Kate! | |
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March 9th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Awesome!
Now the question is.. how do you keep it from coming back, unless you know why it appeared in the first place?
This is something I would like to know for future reference, just in case I end up having to deal with it. | |
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March 9th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| thanks Lucy and Haedra!
well... IMO to keep it from coming back is to not over feed the fish and make sure the nitrates are always kept as low as possible, which for me means more tank vacuuming and for me also, is not to over feed the fish.
At least Im going to see if this method works. lol.
I have had the tank running for almost two years, and never had this happen before. only thing I did differently was feed more than usual. So I am guessing that must have been the problem and the tank was more than likely a bit overstocked due to the high bioload of the 4 BR Parrots that were in that tank.
So time will tell.. hopefully the problem is solved, but I will get back to you on that after I observe the tank for awhile... | |
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March 13th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| I had the same thing happen about 3 months ago
I had the same problem a while back and the black out trick was the only thing that worked for me as well. I tried carbon and water changes everyday and that did not do any good. After I did the black out I turned my lights back from 10 hours to 4 hours and every day I added an hour to make sure the cloudy water did not return. I had plants and they all survived the black out but they were a bit on the droupy side though LOL. I am back up to 8 1/2 hours of light but that is the max for me I do not want to push it. Also I noticed that if I kept my lights on for long periods this also triggered the cloudy water syndrom. My timer allows me to turn on and off the lights 7 times a day therefore I never leave my lights on for more than 2 1/2 hours during the day. I am not saying this is the right way this is just what has worked for me to keep the cloudy water from returning. I have higher nitrates in my well water since it is spring time it is around 20ppm which algea loves to grow in. Great to hear it all worked out for you!!!! | |
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March 14th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Razimith I had the same problem a while back and the black out trick was the only thing that worked for me as well. I tried carbon and water changes everyday and that did not do any good. After I did the black out I turned my lights back from 10 hours to 4 hours and every day I added an hour to make sure the cloudy water did not return. I had plants and they all survived the black out but they were a bit on the droupy side though LOL. I am back up to 8 1/2 hours of light but that is the max for me I do not want to push it. Also I noticed that if I kept my lights on for long periods this also triggered the cloudy water syndrom. My timer allows me to turn on and off the lights 7 times a day therefore I never leave my lights on for more than 2 1/2 hours during the day. I am not saying this is the right way this is just what has worked for me to keep the cloudy water from returning. I have higher nitrates in my well water since it is spring time it is around 20ppm which algea loves to grow in. Great to hear it all worked out for you!!!! | Thanks Razimith,
I also fear that the green water will come back now that I have the lights back on, but so far.. so good. Seeing that I also have well water, I think I may go ahead an check the tap water for nitrates as well, never thought it may change so in the spring, but thats a good idea. Thanks... | |
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