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Forum > The Goldfish Topics > Goldfish Tanks > Water problems? Questions about water quality?
shepherdqueen
Dec 18 2005, 07:45 AM
Hello! I am relatively new in the world of goldfish, aside from keeping tanks as a child.

We have a 30 gallon tank and my water is now green. Read the post on how people were making green water LOL, but we would like to see our fish!

We do a weekly water change of 8 gallons, using Aqua Safe & Aquarium Salt, then adding a dose of Cycle the next day.

For over a week I have been using a product called "AlgaeFix" without much success.

I feed a quality, non-clouding food, Hikari Oranda Gold, presoaked before feeding - and they inhale it. Feeding once a day, pet store told me not to feed more than that, even though fish are always vultures and they leave nothing behind.

OK as for lighting, I used to turn the tank light when I woke up & off at bed time. (6 am - 11pm). I now have a timer for 3pm - 11pm to limit the artificial light. The tank is next to a window, but it is now winter time and we have been having more grey, hazy days than bright sunny ones (also that side of the house is next to the woods so we do not have the best natural light in that window).

Any suggestions on how we can fix this problem?

Thanks so much!

Holly aka shepherdqueen
PS I think I do much better raising show dogs than fish LOL!

Bak2it
Dec 18 2005, 07:56 AM
If you want to eliminate the green water forever... Get a UV sterilizer.
GFandy
Dec 18 2005, 08:04 AM
hmmm how long has this tank been set up?
the green water maybe from your tank not being properly cycled, algae growing because there is sufficient enough nutrients to sustain it.

what are your water params like? ph, nitrite, nitrate, ammonia?

is there a reason your adding aquarium salt? other than trying to kill the algae with it?

try putting a shade to cover the window, and try some things listed here:
Tropical Resources

i hope this helps somewhat
andy
shepherdqueen
Dec 18 2005, 08:30 AM
This tank is about 9 weeks old now, lost 2 fish due to poor cycling (very upset - pet store people do not educate at all - my lionhead and chocolate oranda - still sad)....

Anyway been cycling well for the last month. Green water for 2.5 weeks now.

Just did a dip stick...

Nitrate - 20ppm
Nitrite - 0 ppm
Hardness - 150 ppm (that's why I add the aquarium salt - on advise from pet shop)
Alkalinity - 40
pH - guessing at 7 (inbetween colors of 6.8 & 7.2)

my strips do not test for ammonia...

Thanks for your help!
GFandy
Dec 18 2005, 08:36 AM
i don't believe salt will do anything to your hardness, ( i could be wrong but i've never heard of it) and i'd keep that hardness where it is
looks like your cycle is doing good, if i were you, i would invest in a drop type test kit, they are more accurate than the dip tests.
Your params look pretty good, your pH a little on the low end, try adding some baking soda to raise it, i'm not sure of exact dosage though, i just add maybe a tablespoon or so (don't go by me on exact dosages, i eyeball alot of things)

I'm not sure why you have algae though, maybe your aquariums just getting too much light, even though its grey outside.

how cold is it? could there possibly be a draft from the window, chilling your aquarium, possibly killing off some of the good bacteria?
shepherdqueen
Dec 18 2005, 09:04 AM
Will look into the other test kit.

This tank does have a heater - set at 69 degrees F - is that OK?
GFandy
Dec 18 2005, 09:08 AM
yup thats a good temperature, as long as it doesn't get too cold which it shouldn't (less than around 55) they should be Ok.

Your algae is green right, if its brownish than that would mean that your fish are sick...which i don't believe they are.

try no light at all for a few days...wrap the tank with cloth or if you have it wrapping paper...LOL do this because algae need light and no light=no algae
shepherdqueen
Dec 18 2005, 09:33 AM
Thanks for your help!
shepherdqueen
Dec 18 2005, 02:25 PM
Tank is all wrapped up like a presentnow - can't wait to open it an see what I have in a couple days!
GFandy
Dec 18 2005, 02:45 PM
LOL

I hope it works for you, if not we'll have to think of something else.

BTW we are talking about green water that when you take a cup full of it the water is green, not like ornaments and what not are covered in algae right?

heres from what that tropical resource website says:
QUOTE
4. Green water...algae bloom. This is the most common problem if the cloudy situation extends beyond 10-14 days. Note that "green water" is not always green in appearance! Since green water is the most common problem and the most difficult to solve the answer needs to reflect several options. The situation that causes GW (Green Water) is usually a combination of high nitrates, phosphates, and mixed in some ammonia/ammonium. Substrate disturbance is usually the culprit. Water changes alone will usually not rid a tank of GW. Nutrients can be reduced very low in GW and fairly quickly by the GW algaes, but they can scavenge other nutrients...iron and trace elements. So, it's very common for the GW to solve the situation that causes it to begin with, but that won't eliminate the GW. Five methods exist to eliminate GW. Blackout, Diatom Filtering, UV Sterilization, Live Daphnia, and Chemical algaecides/flocculents. The first four cause no harm to fish, the fifth one does.

Method No. 1: The blackout method. Turn off CO2 and add an airstone if available. Your fish and plants will be fine during this short period of time. When doing a blackout follow this procedure exactly.

Day one.

1. Feed your fish. Wait one hour, then do a 50% water change.

2. Cover the tank completely with towels, blankets, or garbage bags so that no light whatsoever gets into the tank...all sides and top must be covered.

Day two.

3. Leave the tank alone...completely alone. Do not change any water, do not feed your fish, and do not even peek to see if the green water is going away during the blackout period. The tank must have complete darkness and no feedings during the blackout period.

Day three.

3. Leave the tank alone...completely alone. Do not change any water, do not feed your fish, and do not even peek to see if the green water is going away during the blackout period. The tank must have complete darkness and no feedings during the blackout period.

Day four.

3. Leave the tank alone...completely alone. Do not change any water, do not feed your fish, and do not even peek to see if the green water is going away during the blackout period. The tank must have complete darkness and no feedings during the blackout period.

Day five.

4. At the end of the blackout period do another 50% water change and lightly feed your fish again. Also address any nutrient deficiencies you may have at this time. Remove the airstone and restart your CO2 injection if using such.

Seven days after day five.

5. Do another 50% water change one week later, then resume you normal water changing routine thereafter.


Were (you) are doing a variation on that...hopefully it does work and your green water will be gone.
shepherdqueen
Dec 18 2005, 03:08 PM
Yes, the actual water is green. I just did a water change yesterday. Tank is wrapped up - that will eliminate 95% of light entering the tank - I hope it works!
GFandy
Dec 18 2005, 03:10 PM
Ok just double checking...crossing fingers for ya
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