Really green water

[aidensmomma2000]

Hey all,
 My mother has a tank with green water- I mean really, really, dark green- its hard to see the fish. Its not for lack of water changes- and she knows her fish (way back when she was ovas's president lol).

Is this just an algae? I suggested she do a blackout.

Thoughts are appriciated!

[Nelson]

Sounds like an algae bloom to me Robin..coincidental, as I was just having a "conversation" with Julie regarding the virtues of using a UV sterilizer - which controls algae blooms among other benefits.

[Julie]

Robin, something is out of balance in her tank.
What has she done differently?

Julie

[repeej]

Is she irish?

[Julie]

Good morning repeej, I am curious to hear your logic in this application?
I think she might be french actually.  :wink:
Robin, if she can find what is causing it and perhaps do some w/c with distilled it might work.

Julie

[aidensmomma2000]

Nope, we're not French although my education was  :wink:

Not sure whats different, but do you think a blackout is a good solution?

[Nelson]

Nope, we're not French although my education was  :wink:

Not sure whats different, but do you think a blackout is a good solution?

If it's plant material (algae bloom), the green color would signify chlorophyll, which is dependant on light for photosynthesis.  Remove the light and you destroy the plant material.

[BigDaddy]

If you have green water, then a blackout is effective.

Green water is usually present in newly cycling tanks, or tanks who have had their biological filters impacted in one way or another.

Even though you probably aren't registering it, there's probably trace amounts of ammonia... and that usually causes green water.

Green water is a unicellular algae.  It will reproduce quickly given the right conditions.

Here's how to fight it.

1)  Blackout
2)  UV Sterilizer
3)  Diatom filter

Frankly, the blackout is the most effective because it is free and it doesn't require adding a bunch of equipment to the tank.

When the blackout is done, the water should be clear again.  If the green water comes back, then the tank might still be cycling.

[zapisto]

hey
don't kill the green water

i want it badly
where are you located , if  i have someone from montreal in ottawa  can i get 10 or 20 g of it.
i am serious

[aidensmomma2000]

I dont think my mother would want someone coming by...


Ok, so how long does the black out need to last? Its a 90g.

[BigDaddy]

I dont think my mother would want someone coming by...


Ok, so how long does the black out need to last? Its a 90g.

http://ovas.ca/article.php?sid=95

Everything you wanted to know about blackouts but were afraid to ask.

[aidensmomma2000]

Thats great! Youre so useful  

I sent her the link.

[BigDaddy]

Just out of curiousity, is this an established tank, or a new setup?

[aidensmomma2000]

Nope, its been going for over 4 years now!

[zapisto]

I dont think my mother would want someone coming by...

so sad but it is ok
would love hacve this green water

[BigDaddy]

Zap.. I can make green water without blinking twice.

Too bad it's so cold outside now... I could have a tank full for you

[zapisto]

Zap.. I can make green water without blinking twice.

Too bad it's so cold outside now... I could have a tank full for you

yeah
outside me also
just inside drive me nutz sometime

[darkdep]

Zap:  What would you do with the green water, if you don't mind me asking?

[BigDaddy]

Feed brine shrimp or daphnia....

Good for small fry...

It has its uses........

[darkdep]

You can feed green water to fry? wow, didn't know that.