HELP

[Kaylajo]

This is a year old tank that has done great. Last few days it has been kinda cloudy, now it’s like this. Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate is zero. Nothing new added. No chemicals by the tank.

 

[Rmckoy]

Wave makers ?
Filtration , flow ?

Looks like a algae bloom

 

[Kaylajo]

Wave makers ?
Filtration , flow ?

Looks like a algae bloom

I have a small power head in there, but it quit working this morning. Now it’s just the filter that moves the water.

 

[Kaylajo]

I have also done 2 water changes in the last 2 days, about 50% for each of them.

 

[cbellm]

looks like an algae bloom do you have the ability to get ahold of a UV sterilizer? Maybe a reef club member in your area could let you barrow. You can also do a substantial water change but the algae will likely continue to reproduce until you solve the main issue.

One of your powerheads hasnt fallen into the sand bed have they?

 

[Kaylajo]

looks like an algae bloom do you have the ability to get ahold of a UV sterilizer? Maybe a reef club member in your area could let you barrow. You can also do a substantial water change but the algae will likely continue to reproduce until you solve the main issue.

One of your powerheads hasnt fallen into the sand bed have they?

No power head in the sand bed:/ what is causing a bloom like this? Ideas?

 

[Rmckoy]

I have a small power head in there, but it quit working this morning. Now it’s just the filter that moves the water.

If you can ,
Get another wave maker or power head just to move more water .

what media are you using in the filter ?
Do you have a skimmer ?

 

[Kaylajo]

If you can ,
Get another wave maker or power head just to move more water .

what media are you using in the filter ?
Do you have a skimmer ?

I just am running

If you can ,
Get another wave maker or power head just to move more water .

what media are you using in the filter ?
Do you have a skimmer ?

I got another power head in there now! I am running filter floss, but no skimmer

 

[CMMorgan]

Definitely looks like an algae bloom. What are your parameters? Phosphate?
Are you running any carbon? I see a little GHA on the frags... poor little tank looks like Hulk just took a bath.

 

[ATAquariums]

Algae bloom. It will be hard to get good readings on test until the bloom clears out. You can continue to do wc, but this tank appears to lack the appropriate filtration for the about of food you provide. Start investing in good equipment and skip losing livestock

 

[Rmckoy]

What size tank is it ?

 

[Kaylajo]

Algae bloom. It will be hard to get good readings on test until the bloom clears out. You can continue to do wc, but this tank appears to lack the appropriate filtration for the about of food you provide. Start investing in good equipment and skip

Algae bloom. It will be hard to get good readings on test until the bloom clears out. You can continue to do wc, but this tank appears to lack the appropriate filtration for the about of food you provide. Start investing in good equipment and skip losing livestock

what equipment should I be investing in then? I’ve had a nano 10g for 3 years now with no issues running this equipment, I just recently switched to this rimless last year.

 

[Kaylajo]

What size tank is it ?

It is a 10g

 

[Rmckoy]

It is a 10g

Is there a way you can increase filtration and flow .

have power heads pointed towards the surface to help oxygenate the water .

 

[polyppal]

Do you keep the tank in an area where its receiving lots of sunlight? That will greatly accelerate algae

 

[vetteguy53081]

To be effective in combating it you need to understand what is causing it.
Here’s what’s causing your aquarium water to become green:
Micro-algae spores, also known as phytoplankton, are always present in an aquarium, but sometimes they bloom and the result is a cloudy, green tint to the water. The bloom is usually caused by an overabundance of organic nutrients in the water column. Reducing the available nutrients in the water can suppress the bloom and clear it up. The main factors here are light and food.
When your aquarium has an excess of either of these, it is when green water starts being an issue.
Do the following to reduce this:
- Reduce white light intensity
- Set up a fine-fiber filter floss media
- Manage Nitrate levels
- Clean the substrate
- Add aeration to the tank
- Lower the Phosphate levels in the water

Adding UV would be effective but understandably not feasible with access and cost for many. Do add a pouch of ChemiPure Elite which will keep nitrate and phosphate in check and help polish water.
Adding a $20 hang on back power filter from walmart will also help with polishing this bloom and add circulation/aeration.
Lastly. . . Is tank at or near a window by chance?
How long are lights on each day ?

 

[Kaylajo]

To be effective in combating it you need to understand what is causing it.
Here’s what’s causing your aquarium water to become green:
Micro-algae spores, also known as phytoplankton, are always present in an aquarium, but sometimes they bloom and the result is a cloudy, green tint to the water. The bloom is usually caused by an overabundance of organic nutrients in the water column. Reducing the available nutrients in the water can suppress the bloom and clear it up. The main factors here are light and food.
When your aquarium has an excess of either of these, it is when green water starts being an issue.
Do the following to reduce this:
- Reduce white light intensity
- Set up a fine-fiber filter floss media
- Manage Nitrate levels
- Clean the substrate
- Add aeration to the tank
- Lower the Phosphate levels in the water

Adding UV would be effective but understandably not feasible with access and cost for many. Do add a pouch of ChemiPure Elite which will keep nitrate and phosphate in check and help polish water.
Adding a $20 hang on back power filter from walmart will also help with polishing this bloom and add circulation/aeration.
Lastly. . . Is tank at or near a window by chance?
How long are lights on each day ?

Okay thank you for the great info! It is in my kitchen not near a window, but definitely gets some sunlight to it. I run my lights 9am-7pm. Which I am sure is way too long, but the last couple hours is a dark blue.

 

[Kaylajo]

To be effective in combating it you need to understand what is causing it.
Here’s what’s causing your aquarium water to become green:
Micro-algae spores, also known as phytoplankton, are always present in an aquarium, but sometimes they bloom and the result is a cloudy, green tint to the water. The bloom is usually caused by an overabundance of organic nutrients in the water column. Reducing the available nutrients in the water can suppress the bloom and clear it up. The main factors here are light and food.
When your aquarium has an excess of either of these, it is when green water starts being an issue.
Do the following to reduce this:
- Reduce white light intensity
- Set up a fine-fiber filter floss media
- Manage Nitrate levels
- Clean the substrate
- Add aeration to the tank
- Lower the Phosphate levels in the water

Adding UV would be effective but understandably not feasible with access and cost for many. Do add a pouch of ChemiPure Elite which will keep nitrate and phosphate in check and help polish water.
Adding a $20 hang on back power filter from walmart will also help with polishing this bloom and add circulation/aeration.
Lastly. . . Is tank at or near a window by chance?
How long are lights on each day ?

Okay thank you for the great info! It is in my kitchen not near a window, but definitely gets some sunlight to it. I run my lights 9am-7pm. Which I am sure is way too long, but the last co

 

[vetteguy53081]

Okay thank you for the great info! It is in my kitchen not near a window, but definitely gets some sunlight to it. I run my lights 9am-7pm. Which I am sure is way too long, but the last couple hours is a dark blue.

The light hours you have are fine and can go 9a-9p. The sunlight from kitchen window whether it is direct or indirect is likely your issue as UV rays are very strong. Window is an issue in this respect not to mention potential for sunlight to warm the tank up especially in warm climates and during winter have thermal effect in which the tank gets chilled.
I would at minimum get black construction paper (94 cents at walmart school section) and place on tank glass that faces window, If light goes over the tank, youre back to square one.

 

[Kaylajo]

The light hours you have are fine and can go 9a-9p. The sunlight from kitchen window whether it is direct or indirect is likely your issue as UV rays are very strong. Window is an issue in this respect not to mention potential for sunlight to warm the tank up especially in warm climates and during winter have thermal effect in which the tank gets chilled.
I would at minimum get black construction paper (94 cents at walmart school section) and place on tank glass that faces window, If light goes over the tank, youre back to square one.

Do you recommend I move the tank into a room with no light? Or at least less light than what it is getting. It will go in our basement once it is finished. Should I also get a different form of filtration?