Newbie Question!

[joffa84]

hello newbie needs advice!!!

had my tank for a few months and no matter wot i do to my water eg water changes new fliter foams or green alge treatment, they water just looks green in my tank! its clear enough but just wondering if thats normal?

thanks joff

 

[rdd1952]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Is the tank ever exposed to direct sunlight? If so that is most likely the cause. Green water is also a result of high ammonia in the early stages. High ammonia causes diatoms (free floating algae) that feed off the silica from the substrate. It is very common in new setups and will eventually clear on it's own unless there is direct sunlight which will continue to fuel it. Water changes will not help as you aren't removing all the diatoms or the food source. Obviously, they will make the tank more clear temporarily but it will go back to where it was.

 

[joffa84]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Is the tank ever exposed to direct sunlight? If so that is most likely the cause. Green water is also a result of high ammonia in the early stages. High ammonia causes diatoms (free floating algae) that feed off the silica from the substrate. It is very common in new setups and will eventually clear on it's own unless there is direct sunlight which will continue to fuel it. Water changes will not help as you aren't removing all the diatoms or the food source. Obviously, they will make the tank more clear temporarily but it will go back to where it was.

cheers for the reply i just b patient, feeding a bit less now so the tank water is getting clearer all good just wana get my fighter fish!

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum Joffa.
Water quality is not a case of clarity. The right water for fish is water that is at zero for nitrites and ammonia and relatively low in nitrates. If you have followed the fishless cycling process to develop your filter into a functioning biological filter or have had the tank go through a fish-in cycle, it can be the home to fish. If you have not done that yet, crystal clear water does not mean the tank is ready for fish, it means it will be easy to see the fish in the water. Since you have had your tank for a while and talk about how much you are feeding, I assume that some sort of cycle has happened. If there is room for a betta and you get good water test results, get the betta. It will not care about green water any more than the other fish do. Green water is often a problem for people who do not like the look but it is not unhealthy for the fish.

 

[alan3513]

I had the same problem but was advised by aaronnorth (who gives lots of advice in the planted section) to do an 80% water change, cover the tank with towels or blankets and do a three day blackout (no lights or food), after three days uncover the tank and do another 80% water change. He also said to continue having an algae free tank i should reduce the lighting to eight hours per day, cut down on feeding (make sure there is no leftovers), keep the filter clean, and the tank clean of detrius & rotting leaves. This worked for me, all my fish and plants were fine, and after sixteen days the water is still crystal clear. Might be worth a try.