Why are the walls of our fish tank green?

Question

We take great care of our tank, check water often and clean it regulary...The fish are doing well and happy, and the tank is a beautiful clear. It use to get a little green, and hard to get off. We had to scrap it to get it off. NOW both side walls are greening up, it look like carpeted walls. What can we put in there to stop the green from coming. Is there something else we need to do to prevent this? We use an algae eater also. Whenever we do our water changes we add just what the bottle says. Is THIS algae? Please help!!!!! We do love our tank and the fish in it. Thank you for any advice on this matter.

Answer 1

What color of green is this? If it's a really bright green (dark blue green) it might be cyanobacteria. See photo: http://www.aquamax.de/Shop/Artikelbilder/Zusatzbilder/Algen%20im%20Aquarium_Blaualgen%20-%20Cyanobacteria_STUG_cyano1.jpg This is a bacteria rather than an algae, so traditional algae cures won't work that well - and your fish won't eat it. You can treat it with an antibiotic (erythromycin), and I've heard of copper being used to eliminate it, but these are measures I'd use last. The first will destroy your beneficial bacteria (biological filter) and your cat may not like the copper.

Here's a website that gives biological means of control that I'd try first: http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/algae/cyano.shtml

If this isn't cyano, it may just be another form of green algae. Just because there's an algae eater, it doesn't mean they'll eat all forms of algae - and Chinese algae eaters only eat algae as juveniles. You can try scraping the sides of the tank right before doing water changes to remove as much of the stuff as you can, turning off the lights, and more frequent water changes - this will "starve" it out. If any ornaments are affected, you can take them out of the tank and soak them in a 10% bleach solution to kill the algae - just rinse very well and allow them to sit a day or so in the sun before you put them back into the tank. I'd still advise the light and nutrient controls in case there are spores in the tank that might start a new population.

This links gives several other recommendations for algae control:
http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/algae/algcont.shtml

Answer 2

Yikes! it's algea.

It looks like you've done everything to keep your tank clean. However, I have one more tip for you. Algae is sometimes caused by too much lighting. Your tank and its fish need light, but maybe your giving them too much light. Usually this isn't a problem except when you tank is right by the window.(this is why you're not supose to set up a tank by the window.)

I wasn't sure what you meant by algae eater. Do you mean stuff you put into the tank to stop algae growth or the fish?

If you mean the liquid stuff that you put into the tank, this should help. When the algae on the glass turns brown, scrape it off with an algae scraper. Also, you can buy an algae eater, this time I mean the fish. They are bottem feeders that eat algae. But if your going to get algae eaters (fish) make sure that you also feed them because algae from the tank is not enough. They eat algae wafers and fresh or frozen peas. Because they are active during the night feed them befor you go to bed.

If you have algae eater the fish, get some of that stuff that readuces algae blooms. There are lots of different brands. You can get it at about every pet store or even some grocery stores. Follow the instructions on the back for a not so green tank.

You can always ask someone at the pet store. They are very expirienced and they really care about the fate of you pets.

Sorry for writting so much, but I really hope you'll fix your problem.

Good Luck

Answer 3

It sounds like algae. Though remember, algae eaters can only eat softer algae.


Algae is caused by too much light... Your light should be on for 8-10 hours...


You could actually put some plants in to reduce algae. The plants need the same nutrients as the algae, so you will be taking some of the algae's food away thus reducing it.

Answer 4

Algae is unsightly, but green algae is actually a sign of a healthy tank. Personally I try to encourage algae growth, but I've got plecos, and snails in my tanks. You got 4 basic options:

1)Clean it by hand. I used an all plastic dish scrubber, or a clean rag I'd boiled. Then are also specialized cleaners, but they don't any work better.

2) Buy algae eating fish/snails. A small breed pleco like a clown pleco, or rubber lipped pleco. An apple/mystery snail or 2. (Unlike some snails these guy don't reproduce like mad.) Saimese (not common/chinese/golden) algae eater, or an Oto.

3)Reduce the basics for algae growth. Reduce light, don't over feed fish, and don't add fertilizers.

4)Chemical treatments. I don't recommend these as they are hard on your fish, and don't last.

Answer 5

It is algae. If you have it near a light or leave your light on a lot it allows the algae to grow. Also over feeding will do it . Algae needs light and food to grow it is a plant. Wipe it down and keep an eye on having a lot of light and over feeding. Algae will not harm the fish, we just don't like looking at it.

Answer 6

Yes, it is algae. Since it is green it shows a healthy tank. If it were brown you have a toxic tank.

Get a algae eater to keep it from building up or get you a scraper made especially for that purpose.

Answer 7

It's called algae! It happens to every fish tank, so don't worry! And yes, you do have to scrape! Algae is harmless! I have what I call a "sucker fish", the feed on algae! And you may still have to clean the tank for algae but not as much!

Answer 8

It sounds like you have an algae problem. If you have a local pet store near, like petsmat or petco you can take a small sample of your tank water in and they can test the water and tell you what the problem is.

Answer 9

Yes, it's algae and you need to move your tank out of sunlight to cut down on the amount being produced.

Answer 10

That means you healthy water! but you may need a better filter and more water flow (air pump too). buy a snail or a fish that eats algae.