The water in my fish tank has turned a green color what can I do?

Question

I have had the tank for a long time and never had this problem.It's not in direct sunlight and I haven't done anything different.
When I noticed the color change I did about a 75% water change but it is still the same.

Answer 1

I'll give you my standard algae/green water answer in a moment. First of all, never change any more than 50% of the water at one time. You run the risk of throwing off your nitrogen cycle (and then we'll end up having problems with high ammonia and nitrites).

Now my standard answer:

I'll give you my standard algae answer:

"Have you had your nitrates tested lately? If not, take a sample to your local pet store that sells fish and get it tested. Anything less than 40ppm is safe, but you want it less than 20ppm to inhibit algae growth. If it's more than 20ppm, you need to do a water change. You should be doing at least 20% a week. If your nitrates are too high within a week's period, chances are, your tank is overstocked. Also, consider cutting down on feedings. If you're feeding your fish daily, consider feeding them every other day. Excess food will contribute to high nitrates as well.

If your tank is in direct sunlight, consider moving the tank or closing the curtains/shade. Also, leave your aquarium light off for a couple of days. Algae needs light to grow. You take away the light, you can't grow any algae.

Consider planting some live plants like java fern. They will help convert the nitrates into food for themselves.

Lower your temperature to mid-70s. Be careful not to lower anymore than 4 degrees a day, or else you run the risk of messing with your fishies' immune systems. And we don't want any sick fishies.

Ghost shrimp are known to eat algae, and they add practically nothing to your bioload. And they're cheap.

Do not get any algae eating fish, like a pleco. Depending on your tank size (if it's anything less than a 55-gallon), they will quickly outgrow your tank.

And if all else fails, and you have to add chemicals, make sure you get an algicide that does not contain copper, as some fish are very sensitive to it, and it's quite difficult to remove. I recommend Algae Magic by Weiss, as it's organic and safe for all fish, plants, and invertebrates."

Good luck!

Answer 2

You really should never do a 75% water change as nothing you could be trying to fix is as bad as rapid change in water chemistry. Most likely you are suffering from a build up of nitrates. fish + food -> ammonia, then ammonia + bacteria -> nitrates (Okay skipped a few steps, but you get the picture.) Large amounts of nitrates are bad for your fish. The fact that the 75% change didn't help would indicate that your nitrate levels are rather high. (Likely your water is also high in other plant nutrients as well.) What you need to do is clean your gravel with a gravel vacuum and by doing so change out about 10% of your water daily. You should also check you ammonia, and nitrate levels.

Answer 3

You should definitely change the water in the tank first. Then you should either get a filtration system of change the filter more often. You could also get an algecide at the pet store or an algae eating fish or snail.

Answer 4

i had the same problem in my tank. i bought a bottle of "AlgaeFix" It runs about 6 bucks for a 4 oz bottle. i bought mine at a local drug store. Its safe for plants and fish. And it last a long time. And if the green comes back add a few more drops. Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. P.O box 218 Chalfont, Pa 18914 or www.aquariumpharm.com should help you find it

Answer 5

Go to the pet store and get an algecide for it. With most of them you can put it in the water without having to remove the fish.

Answer 6

have you checked all the nitrites, PH, and Nitrate levels? Sometimes that can cause your tank to turn green. If you have had a fish die recently that can do it to. Is your sucker fish too little?

Answer 7

If you don't have a filter, get one- makes life so much easier! Or try interpet green away for algae if you think it's that? Filter sponge might need cleaning out (blocked filter).

Answer 8

what shade of green? Mine is Neon Green! I think I win!

Answer 9

change the water and clean the filter

Answer 10

stop putting green koolaid in the tank