SamH Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 Hey guys, not my tank but I'm trying to help out. This same thing keeps happening over and over again, despite large (90%) water changes. Animates tested the water and they said it was perfect. The tank gets no direct sunlight and has a single tube over it. Contains a couple of Angels, some Cories and a couple of Kuhli Loaches. No live plants, just fake ones, also driftwood and silica sand. Has only started happening after the filter's been replaced by the new HOB in the photo. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 Probably happening because plastic plants won't be helping to absorb those extra nutrients given the light levels. Put some duckweed in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueether Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 I would do 20% water changes daily and let the tank re-cycle. New filter and 90% water change could mean no bacteria... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted June 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 It's just a single tube now on for 8 or less hours a day. It went green again basically overnight. I'm sure Animates water test would have picked up excess nutrients though? The water change was a while after the new filter was put on the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony law Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 take the wood out and do a water change.and see what happens as i think its the wood tanins leaking out of the wood.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted June 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 Wood's been in there since before the filter change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony law Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 :dunno:then you sure the wood not breaking down or roteing,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ichthus Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 Animates free water test only looks at PH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Not excess phosphates etc, unless you ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burrowssj Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 lights should be on less than 6hours for a start I would suggest a bigger filter(if you can) an real plants or perhaps even add the old filter back in? give tank a good clean take all ornaments an rocks fake/real plants out mess up the place an let it set for say 20mins.gravel vacuum until substrate is clean an no debris is left possibly repeat if needed, drain to 50% an refill.From here turn lights on only for viewing or under 6hours a day MAX. I don't know how much you feed but it might pay to cut back alot. fish can only eat a pinch or 2 in a meal. So its much much better to under feed them an then under feed again in a couple hours. so very minimal amounts an feed them slowly. dont just chuck a bunch in an leave them to it, hand feed them sorta thing watch the fish eat an when you know they have had a couple good mouthfuls stop an come back a couple hours later an repeat.Not only will this cut back waste but its also good for your precious fish! If you are getting alot of uneaten food it could be worth getting some bottom dwelling bristlenose or corys Water changes need to be done weekly. A tank that size DOES need to be changed weekly id say about 40% a week should be good.plants would be a good idea an probably save you money on the time wasted cleaning up constantly.Get some low light plants (ask for advice at petshop), chances are someone on here will give you some cuttings if you advertise. I have a 4foot tank heavily planted with a t8 dual plant bulbs an I only leave my lights on 6hours.So cut back that lighting asap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshlikesfish Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 Probably happening because plastic plants won't be helping to absorb those extra nutrients given the light levels lights should be on less than 6hours for a start I run tanks with no plants, and 10-12 hours light. Never had issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 I sometimes have my lights on for 14hrs a day never had an algae outbreak only a little brown algae... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burrowssj Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 Do you guys enjoy living on the edge? :sml2: this picture comes to mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 You say it only happened when they changed filters. Was any of the old media used from the original or were they run in tandem for several weeks? It seems to me the nutrient levels are out of whack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flosty Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 90% water changes a day will get rid of it but bank on it taking 4 or 5 days before its gone It dilutes it till its gone,just 1 90% won't do it,it just comes back You have to maintain it over a number of days until it is gone best of luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneeyedfrog Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 I have had this happen a number of times on different tanks. It always happens not long after being set up or after I've majorly upset something with filter/substrate changes or large rearranging/ replanting. So I reckon an imbalance -perhaps a small ammonia spike- that starts it off but once its there its very hard to get rid of- kinda like duckweed :slfg: I have found 3 ways to get rid of it: -100% waterchange- can be stressful on fish -adding a number of willow branches ( with the tops poking out the top of the tank) and leaving them for a couple of weeks till they sprout leaves- I guess this is the same theory as adding floating plants - using a uv filter- really easy, clears up in a couple of days. After using any of these methods the green water has gone and not returned in spite of not changing anything else. All but one of my 15 tanks sit near windows and get a lot of light. I haven't had it happen for a while as now I always put in floating plants when I change things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxjxa Posted June 27, 2011 Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 I'll also put my hand up and say I don't think the amount of light is causing an issue. I always have my tank lights on 13 hours a day and have only ever had an algae bloom during the initial set up of the tank. As Caryl mentioned, the nutrient levels are out of whack. The change in filter and filter media, (assuming it's all new media), has taken out a bunch of bacteria. Adding plants, stealing mature filter media from one of your filters, plenty of water changes, a UV steriliser or patience should make it go away. Also, you do need to specifically ask for phosphates to be tested at Animates as not everyone tests for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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