Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => General Fishkeeping advice => Topic started by: Julia on October 21, 2012, 06:25:21 AM

Title: Green water
Post by: Julia on October 21, 2012, 06:25:21 AM

Hi Folks

Well the freshwater tanks have all matured nicely now but despite regular tank maintenance and water changes, the water appears to have a green tinge to it...glass is also cleaned regularly as well.

Anyone have any thoughts/ideas as how to get rid of this please.

Many thanks  :)

Title: Re: Green water
Post by: Chucklett on October 21, 2012, 11:17:05 AM

Hi Julia,

Sounds like Green Water Algae trying to claim a home in your tank. Ive heard severe cases be referred to as "pea soup"

Have a google and see what you think?

Title: Re: Green water
Post by: Julia on October 22, 2012, 06:18:03 AM

Hi Chucklett

It's not as bad as that but now I've noticed it, it's beginning to annoy me...esp when I take photos as the green seems to be all seeing !!  LOL !!

I've spotted a UV for around £30 which is would suit quite nicely and will perhaps look at rotating it between the two main tanks.

Thanks   ;D

Title: Re: Green water
Post by: TigzFish on October 23, 2012, 11:10:53 AM

I've read elsewhere about the possibility of Green Algae being caused by direct sunlight hitting the water.  I'm hoping I don't suffer from that as my tank is is front of my lounge window. As it's the only place I can put the tank I'm a bit stuck, so fingers crossed... no problems so far though.  ;D

Title: Re: Green water
Post by: Chucklett on November 07, 2012, 11:05:22 AM

Hey Julia - sorry I missed your last post  :-[

I have a UV on both my tanks. Personally, I think they're great but I have read that you need to keep on top of bulb-changing with them to ensure effectiveness. From what I can gather, in a nutshell, the UV will take some of the nasties out of the water. The fish then lose their immunity to said nasties. If you fail to keep the UV bulbs in check, the nasties start to re-occur making the fish sick. Ive no idea how true that is though! I can, however, tell you that my water is crystal clear in both tanks - the fish look like they're levitating  ;D Its Green Spot Algae on the glass that I have to keep cleaning  >:(

And yes, TigzFish, all algae loves light. Either excess light from the tank lights being on too long each day or natural light. Or both! Of course, there are other things that promotes algae growth - light is just one of the factors involved.




EDIT: Do you have a backing-sheet on your tank TigzFish? Coz if so, logic dictates that it should help stop the direct sunlight hitting your water....... shouldn't it???  ::)

Title: Re: Green water
Post by: TigzFish on November 08, 2012, 09:26:03 AM

Quote from: Chucklett on November 07, 2012, 11:05:22 AM

Do you have a backing-sheet on your tank TigzFish? Coz if so, logic dictates that it should help stop the direct sunlight hitting your water....... shouldn't it???  ::)

Yup, I added a picture sheet (attached to a 3mm piece of MDF for good measure). One side of the tank does see sunlight but I have been turning my lounge window vertical blinds to an angle to avoid as much direct sun as possible. So far all is well.  :D