::Details::
-10 gallon tank
-8 cory catfish (paleatus & julii)
-2 dwarf platy
-1 small sucker fish
-Black Tahitian Moon Sand
-Natural slate and a live plant
-20 gallon filter by Aquaclear
-Bubble wall for aeration
-Heater
--Haven't added any kind of chemicals or medications to the water other than a dechlorinator.
--There is no background on the tank.
I was changing the water and so forth recently, and when I took water out of the tank, it was literally a blue tint. So I know something has to be turning it this color, be it algae or a chemical in the water or something, I just don't know what. I've had this tank set up for about a year, I redid it last summer, replacing gravel with sand so the catfish would be more comfortable and changing out fake decorations with slate and real plants =]
My fish do not seem harmed by the colored water, they seem to have become a little too happy in the last month and I am now the proud owner of two brand new Julii cory cats, born in the tank =]
2007-08-22 08:16:34 · 9 answers · asked by luno6283 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
I appreciate everyone's concern for the overcrowding. The two platy's originally were from a different tank and had to be put into this one since the other tank was being thrown out, they're fully grown dwarf platy, so they aren't big. also, the 8 adult catfish are bonded and i cannot separate them as they stress everytime one is taken out for any reason. the two babies i am looking to give away, i just haven't found anyone to take them yet since they were unexpected surprises. like i said, if they were unhappy and the tank was filthy, i would attribute it to overcrowding, but they're happier than ever, there's no visible algae, and the tank is very well kept.
keep the answers coming, this is still unresolved!
2007-08-22 15:29:42 · update #1
You have too many fish for your tank. If you get rid of 3 Cories, leaving you with 5, you would be in better shape. It sounds like a cyanobacterial bloom. This would turn your water a blueish green color. Because you are overstocked, your fish are creating more waste than your tank can handle. All these leftover nutrients (from poop) are fueling this bloom. Leave your tank light on for only 8 hours a day and limit to 5 Cories, and the issue will likely disappear. Don't try chemicals (to kill algae), many are not safe with Cories. Email me if you have any questions.
Nosoop4u
Products will not "break down the organic leftovers", but vacuuming the gravel every week will remove them. Also, do not use the 1 inch of fish per gallon of water rule! Following that rule, you could keep a 10 inch fish in a 10 gallon tank. The fish wouldn't even be able to turn around!
2007-08-22 08:33:59 · answer #1 · answered by nosoop4u246 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
If you've had this tank running for months and the overcrowding hasn't been a problem, then don't let it become an issue for you now. Overcrowding doesn't turn water blue, anyway. I have to guess it's either the sand has begun, over time, to leech color into the water, or some reaction between two things in your tank his causing it. If your fish aren't becoming discolored, it may be something that is utterly harmless, just bothersome. If the fish are breeding and producing healthy young, the only issue is cosmetic. Start changing things out, one at a time, until you find the colored culprit! Let us know what it turns out to be.
2007-08-29 17:32:27 · answer #2 · answered by lfh1213 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well first of all, the tank is not overcrowded at all. the only concern i have is the suckerfish. what kind is it?
cories stay mostly on the bottom. platies stay in the middle. no problem whatsoever.
what kind of sand are you using?
is the slate colored?
what kind of plant?
what brand tank is it?
have you put any meds in since you had the tank? and did you buy it new or used?
meds stay in the silicone and can leech back into the tank over time.
2007-08-29 10:41:27 · answer #3 · answered by Kerri 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take the bubble wall out (you dont need it for aeration since you have an outboard filter), get rid of 4 corys, do weekly 10% waterchanges for a month, then 20% biweekly everymonth thereafter.
your problems are solved
2007-08-22 15:47:10 · answer #4 · answered by Meatball8442 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree that you have too many fish in your tank. 1" per gallon is the correct number of fish to have. Your Platy will grow. You might be having trouble with blue-green algae as well. Has it been hot? That can contribute to the problem. Downsize on your fish or upsize your tank. The organic build-up "poop" with that many fish in such a small tank can cause issues. You can get products that will help to break down the organic leftovers.
2007-08-22 15:26:27 · answer #5 · answered by jenlvali 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I agree that you have too many fish in your tank. 1" per gallon is the correct number of fish to have.
2007-08-30 08:46:48 · answer #6 · answered by Pascal 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your tank is a bit overcrowded. You should have no more than one inch of fish per gallon. If the sand you have was dyed black that could be what is causing the coloration in your water. Always use naturally colored sand.
2007-08-22 15:22:29 · answer #7 · answered by Nicole 4 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Too much stuff in your tank, remember that your should have 2 square inches per fish...
2007-08-26 22:24:56 · answer #8 · answered by Jerome D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have the same blue color in my tank
mine is one the air line for the bubbler and is pretty much only there. is the stone for the bubbler blue? the dye from it seems to "crawl" up the line and i would assume its also in the rocks (mine are blue and black)
2007-08-22 15:30:34 · answer #9 · answered by a l 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋