Keeps Turning Green

HI so my 20 gallon turned a really thick green a couple weeks ago. It had fish which it no longer does but it was cycled and fine for months. After it turned green (parameters were fine) I did an 100% water change and did my best to clean the filters (not sure I know how) I have a top fin 20 and a Penn Plax Cascade 300 in there. Now I refilled with water cleaned decorations. Took out a dying Amazon Sword. Put in neon Tetras and again it's slowly turning green. Last time it only took 2 days to go from fine to extremely green. This time it's slowly taking a while and I can't figure it out. I cleaned the glass and tried API AlgaeFix with no results. Any advice? Parameters still appear ok.

 

What are your parameters? How long was the tank without fish? What is your complete stock list?

 

Does your tank get direct sunlight? That could be the reason.

 

We would need to see your water quality, so we could try to see if that may be the problem.

 

Does your tank get direct sunlight? That could be the reason.

It gets a little but it was ok for a few months no issues at all. Then suddenly in like 2 days super green out of nowhere. Then 100% water change. Now slowly turning green. I don't know what changed. I started the Aquarium in early May. Right now it has 5 neon tetra and 2 electric blue Rams. I can check parameters in a little

 

Check the parameters on your tap water, too!

 

It gets a little but it was ok for a few months no issues at all. Then suddenly in like 2 days super green out of nowhere. Then 100% water change. Now slowly turning green. I don't know what changed. I started the Aquarium in early May. Right now it has 5 neon tetra and 2 electric blue Rams. I can check parameters in a little

Depending on the time of the year, sun exposure may vary.
Maybe adding Hornwort and floating plants may help with excess nutrients.
Maybe other dead plants cause the tank to turn green.

 

parameters seem fine pH is 7.6 and ammonia is .25 ( little high) I haven't checked tap water yet, Nitrate is between 5 and 0 ppm. I will look into Hornwort and floating Plants. thanks

 

Kill your Phosphates and your problem will go away.

 

Kill your Phosphates and your problem will go away.

How?

 

How?

The product I use is called PhosGuard.
I use the lose pellets (they also come already bagged but the amount is tiny) and stuff them into a filter bag, then place it within my canister filter.

 

The product I use is called PhosGuard.
I use the lose pellets (they also come already bagged but the amount is tiny) and stuff them into a filter bag, then place it within my canister filter.

Thanks!! I also forgot to mention I took a BN Pleco out and moved him to my 50G. Could that have had an effect?

 

If life gives you green water, then you take that green water and make baby fish.

 

If life gives you green water, then you take that green water and make baby fish.

lol I have no idea what that means

 

Go to the store and get yourself a bottle of Algaefix by API. A couple of drops in there, obviously follow instructions, and it should clear up that green water, in theory.

 

Go to the store and get yourself a bottle of Algaefix by API. A couple of drops in there, obviously follow instructions, and it should clear up that green water, in theory.

I've tried for a while now. Will keep doing it. Thanks

 

There is a product by Hagen called Green-X. It's a phosphate remover, looks like dirt but comes in a filter pouch that looks kind of like a tea bag. You just stick it in your filter and in the past it's done wonders for problem tanks. I haven't had that problem in years but I keep some on hand just in case!

 

You said your tank was cycled with fish for months and it was fine. Decomposing plants can make water quality go down hill. The BN is a heavy waste producer. Traces of ammonia combined with light can cause green water. Every tank is different. I would leave the lights off for a bit and do some extra water changes. Dont disturb the substrate or filter. Add some fine filter media like filter floss.

 

You said your tank was cycled with fish for months and it was fine. Decomposing plants can make water quality go down hill. The BN is a heavy waste producer. Traces of ammonia combined with light can cause green water. Every tank is different. I would leave the lights off for a bit and do some extra water changes. Dont disturb the substrate or filter. Add some fine filter media like filter floss.

Makes a lot of sense. Thanks a million