why is my aquarinum water turning green like pond waer?

Question

i use a canister filter/ tank is six months old

Answer 1

Algae are mostly-photosynthetic organisms that sometimes resemble plants but are not plants, having no true roots, stems or leaves. Algae grow in freshwater and saltwater. Saltwater algae are sometimes referred to as "seaweed." Like plants, algae require light and nutrients to grow. We supply plenty of both in our aquariums, with several hours of aquarium lighting a day and nutrients like nitrates and phosphates from fish waste.

Algae come in many forms. There are microscopic, one-celled algae, filamentous algae that resemble hair, algae that grow in sheets, and macroalgae that look like plants. There are even algae that live inside the outer integument ("skin") or calcium shell of some corals, anemones, and other sessile invertebrates called zooxanthellae. There are slimy-looking algae that are often not algae at all, but a colony of primitive photosynthetic organisms known as cyanobacteria. There are also very hard-to-remove little dots of green that sometimes grow on aquarium panels which also are not algae, but diatom or radiolarian colonies (microscopic, one-celled, animals with hard shells) with algae incorporated in their matrix. With all that said, let us answer some common questions right up front:

Algae growth is inevitable in an aquarium.
Algae consume nutrients in the aquarium that if allowed to accumulate, are harmful to fish. Algae can be a good thing.
The presence of green algae in an aquarium indicates a healthy environment for fish.
There is absolutely no way to completely prevent algae from growing in an aquarium, without killing the other life in the tank.
Chemicals should never be used to control the growth of true algae in an aquarium, and should only be used in rare circumstances to control cyanobacteria.
Correcting a severe algae problem requires time and patience.
Natural methods of controlling algae are the best and most effective.

Algae removal from the tank panels can be done on an as-needed basis, but no more than once a week. Removing algae involves either correcting negative water conditions to control or slow excessive algae growth, or an age-old process known as "elbow grease" (scrubbing it off!). Algae removal in an aquarium should be done only when necessary. We have seen many aquariums where daily removal of algae resulted in fish that were so stressed, most had diseases and were dying. You should never remove all of the algae from your tank. Allowing some algae to grow in the aquarium can be beneficial to the aquatic environment. When algae is removed from aquarium side panels, care should be taken to select an algae scrubber that will not hurt the finish of an aquarium. Be careful not to get gravel caught in an algae scrubbing pad where it can scratch the aquarium. Never use household cleaning pads to remove algae. They contain fungicides that kill fish.

Your first mistake is boiling the water. Boiling water consentrates the nitrates in it causing algae to grow even faster. However, I've never heard of it growing within an hour Wow!

First, test the water you are filling up your tank with. Many public water supplies (our homes) have a concentration of nitrates at around 7ppm or higher. (Bottled water is no better).

This could be the start of your problem.
Be sure your tank is not within direct or indirect lighting such as a window or in a room where the lights are on constantly. Is you tank near a heat source. Sometimes we do not take into consideration a fishtank is near a heat register which can and does add additional temperature changes to your tank.

Did you clean the filter as well? Be sure the entire filter is cleaned and free of algae.

Use a razor or scraper and gently scrape all sides of your tank. Clean your gravel and return it to the tank as well. DO NOT wash the gravel in the tank. The residues of the algae will remain.

Since you have NO FISH I am assuming, use cold water to start your tank. Algae likes heat and light. Using cold water will prohibit growth. Allow your tank to run bringing it to room temperature. Then you can plug in your heater allowing your tank to run.

If you have a stick on thermometer, get yourself a floating one. The stick on thermometers pick up ambient air temperatures from OUTSIDE the tank and can be up to 10 degrees off. DON"T trust them. Try keeping your tank at 72 for a couple of days.

You can also purchase phosphorus pads for around $2.00 at your local pet store. These can be cut to fit with your filter and remove large amounts of phosphorus. These can be reused over and over just remember to rinse them out well when you clean your tank.

Test your water. Since you have not gone thru the cycle process allow your tank to run. This should really help with the algae. If you find your water quality is all your tank isn't near a heat or light source, ok but still getting algae turn the temperature down or off and let it run. You will want to scrape the sides of the tank and do a water change no more than 20% every other day. This should only be done if the algae returns in a heavy form.

If you need any more help, you can im or email me.

Answer 2

Green cloudy aquarium water is usually the result of an algae bloom. The green water will not harm your fish at all. We, as human beings, just think it's ugly and not attractive to look at. This happens because of the amount of nutrients and the amount of light entering the aquarium. Your tank water could be too nutrient rich, which may mean that you're feeding too much, or your tank may be overstocked, or you're not doing enough water changes, or it could have too much light or a combination of all the above. Avoid placing your aquarium where it could receive direct sunlight. Direct sunlight will cause not only algae problems but temperature fluctations as well. To correct this problem, perform 25% water changes daily, feed your fish a little less and leave your tank light off for a few days or until the water clears up. Try to alleviate the algae problem naturally instead of turning to chemicals to treat the problem.

Answer 3

That's an algae issue. Get the algae destroyer it works great with green water.
The algae probably formed from too much light. And maybe from over feeding. Definately preform a 25% water changes asap. If you haven't preformed a water change within the last few weeks that could have contributed to your water algae.

Answer 4

It could be because of Algae or poor filtration. I recommend getting a good three stage filter if you don't already have one. Live plants help keep algae under control and you can try bottom-dwelling fish like Corydoras or another type of catfish. Also, make sure your tank is away from direct sunlight.

Answer 5

pass on your good community backyard center and ask for something referred to as "Auquashade" it somewhat works good. It turns the water a blue coloration and retains the suns rays from penetrating too deep inflicting your alge bloom. additionally, the outdoors of your pond must be lined a minimum of 30 to 40 % with plant fabric. attempt water hyacanth. they are much less costly and boost like loopy. too lots covreage? Toss some out. they're annual in maximum places so after frost, get rid of them. by making use of the way, alge on your pond is a indication that your pond is extreamly healthful, that's barely grotesque to look at. good success.

Answer 6

Do you have some real driftwood in it?? If so that could be it. My mom's tank water turned a gross-looking green only one day after she put some driftwood in there. The lady at the pet store told us after this happened to boil the driftwood for about half an hour, changing the boiling water once or twice to keep the water in the pot clean for the driftwood. After that, you should do a 75% water change in the tank. Try this and I bet your water will stay clean. Hope this helps!
^_^

Answer 7

If it is in front of a window move it to a place that does not get light, algae blooms happen when light gets to it. Get a bottom feeder, cat fish or the plete-(can't spell the rest of it) and change your filter. My mom got a capsule you drop in the h20 and it cleared up her algae right away.

Answer 8

Time for a water change 50% or move tank out of direct sunlight or add algae clear. Change filter media? Good Luck..><>:)

Answer 9

Do you have plants in the tank? You should get an algea eater or a pleco to eat the algae as that's probably the problem. Hope it helps!

Answer 10

Your tank is cycled and running fine. Get a u.v light filter to get rid of pea green water.

Answer 11

fish food is made of algae witch over feeding fish can cause tank to turn green
also some green is good for the fish just unsightly to look at