Dirty Green Tank Help Needed

[chrisb1357]

Hi all,

My tank over the last few weeks has become more and more dirty with green stuff on the inside of the tropical tank and the gravel becomeing the same. I only have 3 tropical fish in the tank at the minute and wanted to know the best way to combat this

Chris

 

[raptorrex]

Hi all,

My tank over the last few weeks has become more and more dirty with green stuff on the inside of the tropical tank and the gravel becomeing the same. I only have 3 tropical fish in the tank at the minute and wanted to know the best way to combat this

Chris

could you give us some info on your tank, size, filter, waterchange system and where your tank is kept. I have known uv units to sort this out, cost about £25 plus p and p. however that will not fix the cause.

 

[chrisb1357]

Only a small tank of around 30 Liters and been doing the water change every 4 weeks of about 20& of the water. The tank is not located near any windows or heat

Chris

 

[chrisb1357]

What can i do to get the water to how it use to be like clear and no green on the tank

Chris

 

[chrisb1357]

Bump this question

 

[cuticom]

It sounds like algae to me.

What type of fish are in the tank? what lighting system do you use? Does the tank get any direct sunlight?

I'm probably one of the weird ones, but I've never had any problem with algae in my tanks, the fish love to munch on it now and then, and as long as you wipe the front glass regularly it seems to be okay.

I've heard of people using UV to get rid of it, you can also change lighting conditions to try and prevent it.

I'd say you'd need to clean your tank out more 20% once a month is not much.

 

[Christine1014]

I'd recommend doing more water changes, like once a week (20% is fine). And when you change your water, vacuum the gravel as well.

 

[chrisb1357]

Not in direct sunlight, I think its has been due to doing a water change only every 4 weeks

Chris

Bump this question

 

[chrisb1357]

Hi all,

Just an update on my problem. I have done a 40% water change today and also cleaned the inside of the glass. Cleaned the filters in the water i removed and then added new water to the tank with the water conditionor. Also removed my fake plants as these are now just rotton and no good.

Tanks looks alot better now

Chris

 

[for_my_fish]

Hi all,

Just an update on my problem. I have done a 40% water change today and also cleaned the inside of the glass. Cleaned the filters in the water i removed and then added new water to the tank with the water conditionor. Also removed my fake plants as these are now just rotton and no good.

Tanks looks alot better now

Chris

You need a simple testing kit to see what your water is like in terms of amonia, nitrite and nitrate. The tank may be clean now, but is likely to grow algea again. Weekly water changes of 20% would be a good start.

 

[tropfish]

You must test and change the water regulary

 

[chrisb1357]

Am going to change the water every 2 weeks from now and buy some more test kits, Would the tank be ok to keep without any plants in the tank for a bit as i only use to have 2 fake plants. I have left the rock and bridge in the tank still

Chris

 

[Christine1014]

Yep that's fine... I'm also plant-less. Another piece of advice though, if you want: if you're out buying a test kit, go with one of the liquid kits, like Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Master Test Kit. It's a little more expensive (I think about $30 US) and time consuming than the little dip strips, but WAY more accurrate. Test daily as you're getting everything sorted out, and then you'll get an idea of how often you'll need to clean and do water changes... (water changes are the only way to keep nitrates at bay if you don't have plants.)

 

[bmcelfresh]

When I get an algae bloom I use a product called algae destroyer. Let it sit over night, then scrub the sides and clean one of the filters. Usually works. I have one tank that everytime I scrub the sides it turns into a bloom.