UGH it won't go away!

**Owlbehere** · 05-26-2010, 11:40 PM

So I posted WAY back that I was having an issue with algae in the water.

Well its still there!

I did 50% water changes daily for a week straight. Taped up dark towels to the sides (the back is painted black). Cut way back on feeding... no avail.

So here I am now.
45 Gallon, black painted back, black gravel, artificial plants.
5 Black skirt tetra, 1 Danio, 1 Platy, 1 Leopard bush fish youngster, 1 Black mystery snail, 3 Emerald green cory. (not ideal stocking but I'm working on that)
Lights on 6 hours a day, mostly evening. Does not get direct light but the room is bright early morning - mid day.
I'm currently cleaning it once a day with 25% water changes (think thats why I lost some fish before) Vacuuming the gravel along with it (I get lots of green stuff)
I feed the fish just enough every 3 days.

I hope this helps things... Oh and I'm changing the polishing filter in the canister every other cleaning.... Thats getting pricy lol

**MCHRKiller** · 05-26-2010, 11:57 PM

You probably have a high phosphate level in your tap water, I would get some chemical media on there for removing phosphate. Polyfilters are miracle workers for controling phosphate, and there are a ton of other medias out there including ChemiPure Elite and Phosban.

Also if you use Prime it will remove nitrates which with that low stocking and feeding schedule probably arnt to blame but it cant hurt...phosphate is the leading cause to most algae problems in FW aquariums.

**Owlbehere** · 05-27-2010, 12:02 AM

Hmm, I never thought about that. I'll go pick something up and see if it helps. I just have not seemed to get control over it. I thought it was the fact it was near a window and glass door, but there is a roof over the front porch and the tank is dark when light comes in.

Thanks MCHRKiller for the suggestion :)

**Cliff** · 05-27-2010, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by MCHRKiller

You probably have a high phosphate level in your tap water, I would get some chemical media on there for removing phosphate. Polyfilters are miracle workers for controling phosphate, and there are a ton of other medias out there including ChemiPure Elite and Phosban.

Also if you use Prime it will remove nitrates which with that low stocking and feeding schedule probably arnt to blame but it cant hurt...phosphate is the leading cause to most algae problems in FW aquariums.

X 1

I learned the hard way just how much phosphates and the right amount of light can result in algae.

Phosphate = steroids for algae

**rich311k** · 05-27-2010, 12:12 AM

I think it is time you blacked the tank out properly and see if that kills off the green algae. It camre from too much light and an ammonia spike. Also it took me three months of diligence to finally rid my 36 of it.

What kind of light are we talking here, how many plants, any additives?

Water changes would not harm fish unless the water quality drastically changed.

**Owlbehere** · 05-27-2010, 12:43 AM

No plants, no additives. The back is painted black, and for about 3-4 months I had thick dark towels duct taped to the sides and top. The light in the room comes from a glass door and a bay window. The front porch they go out to has a roof and this room doesn't get "bright" light. For house plants it will barely keep low light plants happy. The sun shines on this side of the house from about 7:30am - 9:00am. This tank is in between the door and window and stays dark with the lights off. This room in general is pretty dark. (drives mom crazy).

The light is a standard light you get with the tank. I think it is 18W.

I have not noticed a spike in ammonia when testing the water. I use the API liquid test kits...

The water chemistry may have changed. And its a DUH for me. The water started getting like this after they worked on the main water lines a while back. I think they switched to a new pump station. I live in a very rural area but do receive town water. They never listed any changes to the water just that work was going on.
I tested with the API kit and it was the same Params but I don't have a test kit for the other chemicals. SO don't know if that is the cause.

Ps the green stuff coming up from the gravel is the top layer of gravel going from green to black... not mulm <-- think that is what it is called.

**rich311k** · 05-27-2010, 01:09 AM

The ammonia spike would hae been when it strated not now.

You could do a 75% change, cover the tank ompletely. Throw a blanket or two over it. Add an airstone if you do not already have one. Leae it covered for 3 days, no peeking, no feeding. Uncover the tank do another 75% water change and hopefullly you have a crystal clear tank again.

**Owlbehere** · 05-27-2010, 01:16 AM

Originally Posted by rich311k

The ammonia spike would hae been when it strated not now.

You could do a 75% change, cover the tank ompletely. Throw a blanket or two over it. Add an airstone if you do not already have one. Leae it covered for 3 days, no peeking, no feeding. Uncover the tank do another 75% water change and hopefullly you have a crystal clear tank again.

Ok :) I'll try that

sorry still not understanding the ammonia spike part though. This tank was started up with a cycled filter and the green water didn't show up for a couple months after.

But that doesn't matter

, Ill try what you said and while thats happening i'll pick up what MCHRKiller suggested. It is a 40mile drive to the nearest supply place and I won't be free until Sat eve or Sunday.

**MCHRKiller** · 05-27-2010, 02:02 AM

Prime will also take care of ammonia and most of the nasties tap water can contain that will effect aquarium chemistry. I lost a breeding colony of RCS last summer due to them changing to chloramine, which some water conditioners wont render harmless.