Green Water

[aandyy]

Hello,

Have Green water and cant seen to shift it
Have a Tetra-Tec EX 700 Filter
Tried Changing both Filter Floss Pad and Carbon Filter no Difference the filter floss pads where quite green and a new pad was a slight improvement
Tried Algone Pads seem a slight Improvement after 2 days but nothing special as recommended with the carbon removed from filter
Have removed about half the water now so have about 20 Litres in the tank to see if working with less water will help
But still the same dont know what to try next is there something better on the market
or do i start from scatch again and see if the fish will last in a bucket till the tanks ready(2 clowns,dominos,humbugs,damsels,blue neons)

When the water Initially started to get cloudy the sand was getting brown in small areas but this disappeared with the algone

Andy

 

[jeasko]

first off need alot more info here.

1. what size tank is it and how much does it hold?

2. what sort of tank is it FO FOWLR or reef?

3. are you running any other filtration than the tetratec?

4. what other equipment do you have ie powerhead uv sterilizer?

5. are you using anythin to remove phosphate?

6. whats your water parameters?

7. what lighting are you using

8. how long has the tank been running

lots of questions and im sure i'vew missed a few other important questions such as water change frequency and positioning of the tank but will work those out later.

one thing that does come to mind is if you only have 20litres left in the tank that would make it a 40litre tank to start with which means you will be way over stocked with that amount of fish

Like i say alot of questions but the info will help get to the bottom of it all

 

[aandyy]

[
Thanks for the help I,ll Try and answer the questions


1. what size tank is it and how much does it hold? Sorry for the confusion I removed 20l its about half full so the tank holds around 70-80 Litres as I didnt have it fully filled

2. what sort of tank is it FO FOWLR or reef? Its has fish with 2Kg of live Rock (bring it in slowly to eventually replace filter with scimmer)

3. are you running any other filtration than the tetratec? No

4. what other equipment do you have ie powerhead uv sterilizer? No

5. are you using anythin to remove phosphate? Nothing at first then Alegone

6. whats your water parameters? Ph is 8.5 Salt 1.024 No2 0.2mg Temp 25

7. what lighting are you using blue actinic light 30watt 36" and GrowFlux 30w

8. how long has the tank been running ,3Months

Water Change approx 5 Litres every month -RO waterwith Marine Salt added

Tank Position is in Corner with very little direct sunlight also have 6 hermit crabs forgot to mention

thanks for the help

lots of questions and im sure i'vew missed a few other important questions such as water change frequency and positioning of the tank but will work those out later.

one thing that does come to mind is if you only have 20litres left in the tank that would make it a 40litre tank to start with which means you will be way over stocked with that amount of fish

Like i say alot of questions but the info will help get to the bottom of it all
[/quote]

 

[SkiFletch]

Well, green water indicates a nuisance algae, or phytoplankton bloom... If it's a nuisance algae, you'd need a UV sterilizer or maybe some corals to kill/eat it, but if it's phytoplankton in addition to the above you could try to introduce rotifers into the system.

 

[Colin_T]

try reducing the lighting period.

 

[jeasko]

sorry to ask so many questions but as you can see from the answers you have given people are able to give informed advice.

if your going to get a skimmer it may pay to get sooner rather than later as it will help to remove unwanted elements from the water (wont necessarily fix the green issue) which may be adding to your problem as 2 kg LR is not alot to assist the tetratec and with the bio loading you have everyhting will be a bonus, along with a a uv sterilizer as ski posted will aid getting rid if it is an algae prob and definately reduce the lighting times as algae needs light in order to grow as colin has posted , as for a phosphate remover have you tried rowaphos? seems to be the most commonly used and I have introduced it to my tetratec along with activated carbon which would be beneficial as well if your not already using it, the carbon will help to remove unwanted substances from the water.

another thing that may help is more frequent water changes as this will help with the export of green water, and dont be afraid to do a larger water change as it could resolve the problem, once its all clear you can always reduce frequency or size unless this starts tomhappen again.

all I can say is stick with it and hopefully it will get better it may take a few weeks to sort but be patient, keep us updated

 

[aandyy]

Have Had it blacked out now for 2 days and it does seem to be inproving slightly
Will try to buy the UV Sterilizer today along with Rowaphos

Thanks for all the Help

 

[aandyy]

Now a week later and UV Sterilizer worked a treat water is now crystal clear
Thanks for all the help

 

[jeasko]

glad things have improoved for you!