Water changes mean...?

[speedie]

I am a little confused I think about water changes. When you change the water, are you also suppose to clean the gravel (you know, use the vacuum?) or just empty a percentage and replenish with clarified water?:11:

Yes, I know, dummy me, but maybe I am cleaning my tank too much. 90 gallons and every water change, weekly (about 30%) I am also vacuuming my gravel. Water is green green green.

:help:

[Lab_Rat]

Water changes mean you take out part of the water and replace it with fresh water. I also vacuum the substrate at each water change. As for why you have green water, you have an overabundance of nutrients causing the algae issue.

Here's a simple article about green water algae:
http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/maintenance1/p/greenwater.htm

[speedie]

So any suggestions how to improve the clarity and to avoid this over abundance of nutrients?
Please and Thank you

[bluebluecow]

I would cut down on feeding a little, what's the food schedule like?

[Lab_Rat]

So any suggestions how to improve the clarity and to avoid this over abundance of nutrients?
Please and Thank you

See the article I linked to. Feed less, more water changes, less fish, no direct sunlight.

[speedie]

Only feed once a day, not in direct sunlight, weekly water changes, and want more fish, lol.:goldfish: :fish:

[Oscar_freak12321]

How many fish are in the tank right now? What size tank? And I personally clean out a lot of my gravel during water changes.

[Discus_Dude]

Do you use anything to buffer your water's PH etc.? What is you water source, city/well?

In addition to what has already been mentioned, you could have elevated phosophates causing your green water. Some buffers can cause this or it could be in your water source. You can get an API test kit just for phosophates as an option if the other suggestions have not worked.

Hope this helps!

[Northernguy]

Try 50% water changes.
I would also doing them every other day for a week or two.
It will help your situation.
How long has the tank been established(cycled)?
Have you rinsed your filters out lately? In old tank water of course.

[Rue]

I had a problem with green water too, that I just couldn't get a handle on...so I used a 'clumper' (Particulate Water Clarifier). It's an additive that 'clumps' the algae together and then the filter takes it out.

Works like a charm. But it shouldn't be used long-term. If you're succesful with the additive...but the green water comes back, you'll need to determine the source and fix the underlying problem.

[jaysee]

How about a UV sterilizer? Doesn't that destroy free floating algae? I have a UV on the one tank that gets a lot of sun and I don't have any algae.

Otherwise, I agree with the others - feed less.

One thing no one's mentioned yet is adding some live plants to consume the nutrients. Plants are not my thing, though.

I do have 2 that I got from Rookie, but I don't know what they are. I think they both survived the 5 days of darkness while I was in bermuda. Well one definitely did. The other looks pretty bad, but I think it's alive. Should I leave the lights on extra long or just go back to my normal schedule? Didn't mean to hijack the thread.