Stuff To Make The Water Clear + Why Is My Plant Going Brown?

[pirate monkey]

I was just wondering if there is a product anyone could recommend for clearing water? I had bought interpet filter aid (I think) but that was a browny colour which kinda defeated the object.... Also wondering is it worth bothering? I mean my tank isn't really cloudy, it's just that it's not as crystal clear as it once was! i had a look to see if something was mentioned previously but couldn't find anything.

Also what's good for my plants? I've been under the impression that they just kinda take NH3 NO2 and NO3 from the water but one of mine has turned a little brown and the others aren't really growing. Do I need to feed them stuff? I've only got a few plants here and there.

please help!

pirate monkey

 

[mark.w.jones]

Green water is a unicellular algae bloom usually caused by an ammonia spike or poor water conditions but there are many other contributary factors. Pictures here show what it looks like:

http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm

Need a bit more detail to try and diagnose a cause.

1. How long has tank had fish in it for?
2. How long has tank been set up for?
3. How did you prepare (cycle) your tank for the arrival of your fish?
4. What and how often / much are you feeding.
5. How are you maintaining / cleaning the tank.
6. Any chance of a picture of your plants?
7. What volume is your tank?
8. Current stock?
9. Levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate in ppm?

The more of these you can answer the better really. Don't want to recommend anything with regard to fertilisation without a bit more background.

 

[bucksgill]

My plants were starting to go brown and glassy but now every two days I put in a tablet called JBL Ferrotabs. They have done the trick so far as the plants are recovering and now growing alot.

Hope it helps.

 

[pirate monkey]

thanks guys

jonesy UK my water doesn't look anything as bad as that, I;d say more a little misty, maybe not even that. Maybe I'm just being too picky lol.

1. fish have been in for about 6 weeks
2. tank set up about 1 month before while cycle going on
3. 1 month ish
4. feeding tetra colour pro, tetraprima, freeze dried blood worms (not all at the same time)
5. weekly vaccum gravel, get small amounts of algae off glass, 15% water change
6. I'll do my best!
7. 96L
8. 2 dwarf gourami, female krib, 6 silvertip tetra, 6 black neons (male krib was there but has been moved temporarily) 2 amano shrimps
9. ammonia 0
nitrites 0
nitrates 10-20 (test kit not accurate enough to distinguish)

It's the middle plant at the back that is going brown and also it's leaves have lots of holes - maybe something's eating it?!

the plant at the front left had a growth spurt at first but they all look a bit drab. I bought 3 new plants yesterday so they look nice, and there's also a couple of plastics in there. Hope the pictures ok I have no editing software and still getting to grips with manual mode on camera!

thanks bucksgill, are they easy to get hold of?

 

[bucksgill]

Yep the plant you are indicating as the brown one is the same type that went brown on mine. I got my tablets from lfs but if they are not in your i guess you could get them on the internet.

Bucksgill

 

[rabbut]

The tablets buksgill mentions are basicaly liquid ferts dired. It is posible that a lack of trace elements are caursing the browness, but with few plants, I deam it unlikely. Worth a try realy, but if they are not available, most liquid ferts will do the same thing. I use Waterlife tropiflora with good results

HTH
Rabbut

 

[pirate monkey]

Thanks for your help guys, appreciate it.

 

[pauly]

I've used interpet filter aid before and it does a good job. However, be careful when using any chemicals in your tank, the filter aid stuff can lower your Ph. A better filter is probably your best bet for crystal clear tank water.

Paul.

 

[pirate monkey]

Hi Paul, how long did it take for the colour to go - as I said it was very brown in colour but I had also used some interpet flora boost at the same time (ok to use together!) which was also brownish so have been put off using either again. A big waste of money!

 

[Losi]

For the water I used to use AccuClear at every water change and this helped, the obvious thing is a bigger filter though, what have you currently got.

For the plants some sort of fertiliser and if you have a lot of plants maybe invest in a CO2 system.

 

[pauly]

I put it in at night, and by next morning it had cleared.

Definately think about upgrading your filter though, do you have an external on it?

 

[mark.w.jones]

The plant in the back is a twisted or corkscrew vallis. I have never had any joy growing them at all. Even with regular fert dosing and CO2. I do think you'd do better having a lot more plants though. What looks most natural is great big clumps of the same species. When plants you'll create a better effect buying 5 the same and putting them all in the same area, close together than doing what you have and buying 5 different species. Greenline Aquatics are an online company how do good quality plants by post. They also do very cheap multipacks which are great for really bulking out your tank. I would chuck out the corkscrew vallis as its bound to get worse. I currently dose my heavily planted tank with Seachems Flourish fertiliser and Seachems Flourish Excel for Carbon. This is easier than setting up a fermentation system and relativly cheap even with a large tank like mine. A large bottle of each will last 12 months on a 125litre tank.

For clearer, better quality water real plants are the only way to go IMO.