Green Water

[creasey_dave]

hi, since ive been cycling my aquarium (bout 9-10 weeks) i have light greenish appearing water. i gave it a 50% water change yesterday and fequent 10% before it. my fish dont seem to be in to much stress but i have noticed when i turn the lights on they sometimes hide away ! i have also noticed since changing the food from cheap brand to aquarian tropical food they havent been as keen to eat. any help would be appreciated i have 3 swordtails and 3 platies in a 3ft(L)x1.5ft(d)x1ft(W) tank running two aqua flow 100's with 150w heater and a 30w flourasent bulb ! my lights are on 10 hours a day moved tank away from window now. all stats like ph etc are normal. cheers

 

[rdd1952]

Primary cause of green water is direct sunlight. If you have just recently moved the tank away from the window, that was probably the original cause but now you have to get rid of the diatoms (free floating algae) that make the water look green. Water changes don't usually do much good. The algae just multiplies again and you're back to where you started. UV sterilizers work but are expensive and maybe not worth it to you just to solve the problem once.

You mentioned that the fish seemed fine and they should, it won't harm them at all. It's in all outdoor bodies of water as they are naturally in direct sunlight.

 

[aaronnorth]

ammonia causes green water, which would exlapin it as you have been cycling your tank, read this thread here as i have just relpied with the same answer!

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=288031

 

[Colin_T]

9-10weeks is a bit long to be cycling a tank. Normally the filters have developed sufficient beneficial bacteria after 4-5weeks. They should be developed enough to remove the ammonia.
Have you checked the water for ammonia, nitrite & nitrate?

Do you have any live plants in the tank? If you have some plants in the tank they will use some of the light and nutrients and help reduce the algae.

You could try keeping some live daphnia in a breeding net in the tank. They will feed on the algae and help reduce it a bit. You can feed the excess daphnia to the fish.