In Mid Cycle (we Think) And Need Help/advice To Lower The PH

Hi Folks,

 

Just wanted pick everyone's thoughts on getting rid of a green water bloom.

Been reading some articles on how to get rid of green water as our tank has become quite murky over the last week or so. I've cut back on feeding the fish to every other day and made sure our blinds our closed every morning to block any sunlight, and today will have the aquarium lights off also.

But I've been reading some conflicting things across the internet regarding water changes, some recommend only doing a water change (~20%) every other week, whilst some places recommend changing water (~20%) every day!? Its a bit confusing.........

 Does anyone have any good advice on how to deal with this green water?

I'd rather not spend any extra money on buying a UV sterilzer or diatomic filter just yet if possible.

Thanks,
Tom

Hi colin,

Thanks for the link will give it a read when I get chance.

Water parameters are all as usual, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitirate between 20-40ppm, ph at 8.2

Water change regimes do depend to an extent on how many live plants are in the tank. Richard W on here has tanks like underwater jungles and doesn't do as many water changes as most of as his plants keep the water clean. I change 25 to 30% a week as I have low KH and need to keep it topped up. If all the plants are artificial again I'd recommend 25 to 30% a week. And if there are no live plants planted in the substrate, clean the substrate at every water change.
Go by your nitrate level. It should not rise to more than 20 ppm above the level in your tap water. Before I ran out of nitrate tester, mine was never more than tap + 10. If you find your nitrate is more than tap + 20 just before a water change, you need to do them more often or change more water.


One thing the article doesn't mention about green water - wrap the tank in thick blankets so that no light gets in. Turn off the tank lights. Don't touch the tank for 3 days, not even to feed the fish, they'll be fine without food. Use that 3 days to work out why you have green water and how to stop it coming back.

I do not have heavily planted tanks so I am not sure of water changing regime. I do know that some people have to add nitrate to their tanks as the plants remove it all (and quite likely they remove the ammonia made by the fish before it can be turned into nitrate).

Hopefully someone who has heavily planted tanks will be able to advise you better than I can.