what can iuse to get rid of a green water in my tank ??

Question

protein skimmer or UV sterilizer

Answer 1

1)feed your fish less--Twice a week is sufficient
2) cut all sources of light
3) do small water changes frequently.

I have not personally had any good experiences with the chemicals. it's better just to do things the natural way.
protein skimmers can get expensive and really only make a difference in saltwater tanks.
UV sterilizers should really only be used for ponds. The sterilizers kill EVERYTHING in the water and create a sterile tank. Plus uv sterilizers also get very expensive.

Answer 2

If this is freshwater, a UV would be more effective, but very expensive as well. It's easier to eliminate it by controlling the lighting (unless you have live plants) and nutrients in the water. Protein skimmers depend on the specific gravity of the water to function, and this is higher in saltwater. The specific gravilty affects the size of the bubbles that are produced, and the higher the specific gravity, the smaller the bubbles. The smaller the bubbles, the more surface area they have to which the dissolved proteins can adhere. Thus, the higher the specific gravity, the better the protein skimmer does it's job.

The lighting part is easy - just turn the tank lights off for several days to a week.

For nutrients, first be sure you aren't overfeeding any fish or overfertilizing any plants in the tank - algae uses excess food and fish wastes, as well as plant food, as a fertilizer. If you use tapwater in your tank, you should have your tapwater tested to make sure nitrate and/or phosphate (another plant fertilizer) aren't in your water - otherwise, each time you do a water change, you're only "feeding" the algae.

Speaking of water changes, it helps to do these regularaly - about 25% every week - using a gravel vacuum to remove any debris from the gravel - if this isn't removed, it creates nitrate and phosphate as it decomposes. If you have nitrate and phosphate in your tapwater, try using a phosphate-absorbing pad that you cut to fit in your filter (available at pet stores) or switch to reverse osmosis water which will have the nitrate and phosphate removed. You can get this in SuperWalmart stores for around $0.33 per gallon once you buy a refillable container (this is the Culligan water at the self-serve dispensers).

You could also try filter feeding shrimp in the tank as long as you don't have fish that would eat these: http://www.shrimpcrabsandcrayfish.co.uk/Shrimp.htm?Shrimpfr.htm~mainFrame These shrimp have their front "claws" modified into fans that catch particles in the water to eat: http://www.shrimpcrabsandcrayfish.co.uk/Shrimp_files/FanShrimp.jpg , http://www.flickr.com/photos/leino/280214047/

Answer 3

First things first,,have you got a light on your tank???????? If so turn it off and leave it off ,,if your tank is close to a window try putting a sheet over it until the green water is clear again.it sounds to me as if your tank is getting to much light ,,,but dont get me wrong when i tell you this ,the green water is healthy water and the fish will love it,when the water turns a shade of brown is when you should start worrying about the water and your fish........I have been breeding fish for over 20 years and if you were to see my breeding ponds you would cry,,,you cant even see my breeding fish because the water is so green and its also good for the baby fish,,,so dont panic to much
hope this helps you

Answer 4

Green water can be caused by many things such as improper filtration / over cleaning ( removing stabilized water) / over feeding / pH balance.
Undergravel filters and power heads set properly will create a natural balance allowing healthy organisms to work and compliment the external filters to increase clarity , decrease impurities and the tank will remain enjoyable to everyone.
I recommend have patience while the undergravel filters reprocess the tank and allow it to work. You should have a holding tank to place your fish in while the rebalancing / break in process is being introduced ( 72 hrs / 50 gal )
Becareful of over chemicalizing your tanks water. Adding chemicals to balance and over shooting will make you to have need to add even more to stabilize.....this causes even worse conditions. BE CAREFUL and good luck

Answer 5

How did it get green to begin with? If you keep it clean this should not happen. Change the water and then keep up with it by getting a good filter system.

Answer 6

do a partial water change and buy some clearwater or stuff made to clear up green water i can't remember what it's called. You can find it at any pet store

Answer 7

It's algae. Cut the number of hours you have the light on in your tank. Also check the nitrogen/amonia levels in the tank.