Green algae in the water

[macdonjh]

Hi all. The water in our new tank is turning green. The glass is clean, but the water has a green tint and is getting more opaque every day. I think we have algae in the water. Am I right? What can I do to get rid of it?

The tank is a new ten-gallon tank. It's been set up and circulating for about two months. A pet-store water test two weeks ago told us the water was stable. It's set up under a window, so it gets some sun in addition to the tank light, which is on during the day but not at night.

[semper]

do water change

reduce light and stop feeding

[eklikewhoa]

I would try and remove it from the window.

Several factors could be at play....

Heat from window
Cold from window
Sunlight from window
Excessive photo-period from tank light coupled with sunlight
Water source params fueling algae bloom
Excess nutrients in tank water fueling algae bloom
Overfeeding/Overstocking causing unideal params


More info is needed but if we go by what you posted above I would say block it from the sunlight and try and keep the temps stable.


BTW... Welcome to the BOX!

[macdonjh]

Thanks semper & eklikewhoa.

I didn't want to stress the fish by doing a water change, but may have to while I figure out how to control the algae.

Here's a bit more information:

Stock in the tank includes:
3 guppies
3 Danios
2 Platies
1 Chinese algae eater

The fish are fed twice a day with flake food, there isn't any uneaten food on the gravel, but we may still be over-feeding.

I understand your comments about too much light, but I am confused since we have another tank, also near a window, that cleared up nicely after the brown algae died. It's clear and pretty now.

[Darbex]

get some excel and treat it with that for a few days.

[schance]

api makes a good product that worked well on my tank

[wesleydnunder]

Thanks semper & eklikewhoa.

I didn't want to stress the fish by doing a water change, but may have to while I figure out how to control the algae.

Here's a bit more information:

Stock in the tank includes:
3 guppies
3 Danios
2 Platies
1 Chinese algae eater

The fish are fed twice a day with flake food, there isn't any uneaten food on the gravel, but we may still be over-feeding.

I understand your comments about too much light, but I am confused since we have another tank, also near a window, that cleared up nicely after the brown algae died. It's clear and pretty now.

Performed correctly, partial water changes won't stress your fish. If you have had the tank set up for a couple months and haven't done any water changes yet, chances are your nitrates are sky high, providing abundant food for the green water. Start slow...draw off about 10%, vaccuuming the substrate, then replace with dechlorinated water. After a day, do another 10%. A few days later, do 25%. A week later you can do 50%. A lot of folks do a 50% weekly partial to hold nitrates and DOCs down to a minimum, 20 ppm or less.

Fish only need to be fed once a day (with the exception of fry and a few warm-water types, like discus). Many species can be fed every other day and be just fine.

I'd definitely move the tank away from the window, do the water changes, clean your filter media with dechlorinated water and get a Freshwater Master Test Kit from API. Green water is often associated with ammonia. Even though the lfs said the water was stable, that doesn't tell us a lot. Take your own tests. Ammonia and nitrite should be zero, nitrate typically 20 or less.

Mark

[nacra99]

You have a greenwater algae bloom.
Quick fix would be to use a UV sterilizer.
But you have to fix the nutrient imbalance for long term success.

[macdonjh]

Thanks for the help, all. We'll be making a trip to the store for the analysis kit. Are there any plants we can add to the tank, besides algae, that are particularly good at reducing nitrate levels?

[nacra99]

Fast growing stemmed plants are the best for nutrient export.
I find the best so far is hornwort... but unfortunately... it's usually pretty ugly....

[miaboy2]

duckweed is great also. it absorbs the extra nutrients in the water and when it starts to expand, it would blockout some of the excess lights from the top of the water surface.

[PhishPhreek]

Do-N-it like Mother Nature intended.

Fish poop
bacteria turn poop into neutrients
little green plants take in neutrients & light - reproduce
daphnia eat little green plants and reproduce
fish eat daphnia / reproduce and poop
goto line 001.

oops, you left out the daphnia!

[macdonjh]

Thanks to everyone for the help. The tank is getting better. The Algaefix and partial water changes seem to be working, just slower than I expected and slower than my daughter's patience can tolerate. We can at least see her fish now.

Off to the pet store for live plants. Got to keep those nutruents in balance, and I'd prefer to do it without water changes.

[macdonjh]

I wanted to thank every one for their help. The Algeafix didn't work- perhaps operator error. After the Algaefix didn't work we did a 100% water change and let the tank circulate for a week. We reintroduced the fish and a week later the water started getting cloudy and green again. After a 50% water change (which helped tremendously) we introduced two small plants. It's two weeks later now and the water is suddenly crystal clear. My daughter has even gotten over not liking the natural plants.

[Mzungu]

Great! Green water seems to be going around right now...I've got two small tanks that are currently plagued by it. I'm doing water changes a LOT. :)

What plants did you add?