Blue Water

[ramaseseniblikxviii]

i have a 30 ukgal tank which has been up and running for 12 months or so, and since christmas my water has turned a very dark blue green.
I havent introduced any new fish, plants or decor, or changed my regular maintenance schedule.
As of sunday my nitrate level is around 80ppm and i have no nitrite or ammonia in the water.
the past few days I have noticed white stuff growing in my tank aswell, it looks a bit like cauliflower. Can any one help?

 

[blitztidus]

It looks like algae growth, I would filter that tank or if you already are. Is the tank in any line of direct sunlight?

 

[ramaseseniblikxviii]

the tank sits in a quiet corner not in any sunlight, and i use a fluval 3+ filter.
Honestly, I am goin mad .

 

[blitztidus]

Can you get any pictures of it, or is it to small or too blurry to see?

 

[england]

does it look like mini floating particles?
i have this prob as my tanks next to a window..only space in flat.
got something from shop called green away and it worked..
it clumps it together and sinks then easier for filter to clean

 

[TammyLiz]

Green water is caused by a type of algae. Since your tank gets no sunlight, it is most likely due to excess nutrients in the water. Do you do plenty of water changes and clean your filter regularly? Fish waste feeds the algae. Adding something to kill it will only temporarily fix the problem. If you keep ideal conditions for it in your tank, it will come back again and again. I would suggest using a product to get rid of it (since you don't have any plants), then make sure you clean often. Change 20-30% of the water every week and vacuum your gravel as much as you can while removing that amount of water.

If this doesn't work, there are other things that could be causing it. For example, your tap water may contain phosphates that are feeding the algae. I think there are products you can get to remove phosphates. Plants use phosphates, so you may want to look into getting some plants to use up those excess nutrients.

Another thing that may be contributing to your green water is the tank lighting. Do you keep it on for an excessive amount of time? I'm not sure what is appropriate for a non planted tank but even planted should not be left on for more than 10 hours a day to combat algae.

 

[smmetz]

nitrates of 80 are probably part of the problem, it's like food for algea. Is your tap water high in nitrates? If not, more frequent water changes can help get that level down. I also had luck with a phosphate removing product to help me get rid of green water before. Perhaps you can get a test kit for phosphates. Good luck!

 

[ramaseseniblikxviii]

Sorry all i didn't mention that my tank is quite heavily planted, and i use rain water to top up my tank at the weekly water change.
I leave my lights on for about 10 hours a day.
Does any body know a way of lowering phosphates then?
Some times i have to use tap water( contrary to popular myth it doesn't rain all the time in wales!) which is high in phosphates, but i am reluctant to use any chemical treatments in my tank

Can you get any pictures of it, or is it to small or too blurry to see?

no the water itself is crystal clear, its just that its like some one has put green food colouring in it

I ve heard that darkening the tank for a week will kill all the algae without killing my plants, would anyone recommend this?

 

[Saedcantas]

Darkening the tank for a week probably will significantly damage your plants especially certain types.

You would be better to temporarily reduce the length of time you are illuminating the tank (say to 6-7 hours per day instead) until the problem is cleared, keep up the additional water changes and if you are using any fertillisers stop adding them at least for the time being.

The combination of denying the algae causing the green water the nutrients that it needs while allowing just enough light etc for your plants to stay alive should eventually sort the problem out

 

[andywg]

One of the best ways to combat algae in a planted aquarium is to introduce a siesta period in the middle of the photoperiod when the lights are not on. Algae does not like a break in its lighting, whereas plants are less bothered by it.

 

[JArtiles305]

I don't get how if he has been doing the same thing for months, all of a sudden he gets a large algae bloom. Could your city's water chemistry have changed? If you are heavily planted I would think they'd out compete the algae, but apparently they are not. Maybe the plants growth has peaked off? Is that possible? Could you introduce some fast growing stem plants to out compete the algae. I have also heard of the break in lighting as stated in the previous reply, give that a try. Sorry for no conclusive response, just mouthing off ideas.

 

[ramaseseniblikxviii]

well thanks all I will introduce a siesta lighting period that seems to be the least drastic method before i try anything else
Quickly tho, does anyone no what the white growth is called?