Green Water Of General Cloudy Issue's, This Is What I Did.

[oneblondebrow]

Hi all,

I have had issue's with water clarity since starting my aquarium months ago (after cycling), I always had an issue with the water turning slightly milky after a couple of days from water change but then i got really bad Green water issue's, I tried everything from 3 day blackouts to chemical's and it always came back, As a last resort i went to my lfs and purchased a 9w Internal UV sterilizer for £24.99 (they also do 24 watt but i only have 180 liter tank so this was plenty), It took around a week and then a large water change to rid the green water, The water is perfectly clear now even when looking through the tank length ways, Even the constant issue with milky water i would get is gone.

Probably my best buy so far.

Just thought i would share this just in case anyone is getting to the end of their tether like i was.

 

[chocolatedelight]

Although I have "Green" issues at the mo, I have not yet exhusted all my options an I have only had my tank for 5 days so could pass with time (fingers crossed) but out of curiousity how does the UK light work in the tank, does it just stay in the tank left on or it it just when things start to look murky?

 

[the biffster]

whats your stats and
how long are you lights on for

 

[oneblondebrow]

Although I have "Green" issues at the mo, I have not yet exhusted all my options an I have only had my tank for 5 days so could pass with time (fingers crossed) but out of curiousity how does the UK light work in the tank, does it just stay in the tank left on or it it just when things start to look murky?

I have it on constantly but i may turn it off for a while to see if the murky water returns but it is no harm to keep it on only i will have to replace the bulb more often. This is what i have http/www.gardensite.co.uk/Internal_Aquarium_UV_Sterilizer_9W.htm?sourcep=base

 

[oneblondebrow]

whats your stats and
how long are you lights on for

Who Me?

 

[chocolatedelight]

whats your stats and
how long are you lights on for

Who Me?

I think me, got API kit yesterday so wil test everything this evening when hubby gets back.

Do you use the UV with the light on the tank or only the UV light? My tank seems to be improving today lets hope it doesnt revert

 

[oneblondebrow]

whats your stats and
how long are you lights on for

Who Me?

I think me, got API kit yesterday so wil test everything this evening when hubby gets back.

Do you use the UV with the light on the tank or only the UV light? My tank seems to be improving today lets hope it doesnt revert

The UV sterilizer is completely sealed so you see no UV light, It sucks it it through a small filter sponge and runs the water through over the UV lamp then pumps it out the other end, i keep the lights on for 6 - 7 hours per day as usual.

 

[OldMan47]

The UV is indeed a completely separate item and puts no light into the tank. A UV works by killing anything that goes through it with UV light. Most commonly people use a UV as a preventive measure for bacterial infections in their tanks. It is especially helpful if they are using a centralized water system for their tanks and want to avoid passing diseases from one tank to another. It has a minor role in killing green water algae that are floating around in tank water. The UV requirements, in trms of how big a light you need and how much flow you should use, vary immensely with what you are trying to do. The easiest thing to do with UV is kill green water. That allows high water flows and small bulbs. To treat disease means much brighter UV lamps and much lower water flows. The lower water flow gives the UV more exposure time to kill the disease causing bacteria.
A simple solution to green water in a cycled tank is the addition of a daphnia culture in a breeding trap. The green water moves through the breeding trap where the daphnia eat it and some of the daphnia end up swimming outside the trap where the fish eat them. It is a way to treat the fish to some live food and remove green water all at once.

 

[the biffster]

whats your stats and
how long are you lights on for

Who Me?

yes you lol

 

[oneblondebrow]

whats your stats and
how long are you lights on for

Who Me?

yes you lol

Ah OK, My lights are on for 6 - 8 hours per day, There is no direct sunlight onto the tank, The NitrItes are at 0ppm as is ammonia and Nitrate is at 20ppm and i am due for another water change.

 

[the biffster]

whats your stats and
how long are you lights on for

Who Me?

yes you lol

Ah OK, My lights are on for 6 - 8 hours per day, There is no direct sunlight onto the tank, The NitrItes are at 0ppm as is ammonia and Nitrate is at 20ppm and i am due for another water change.

i was going to suggest water change
as i found that high nitrate is the
route to most algae and green water