My fishtank of Death - Part III

[nobody101]

They say a picture is worth 1000 words... Here is a picture of what comes
out of my aqua-mini filter's sponge.

https://home.comcast.net/~lamikam/fish/a1.jpg

I cleaned my cloudy tank today again. So, how does one get rid of this
algae?
I have tried reducing the lighting time on the tank to only 3-4 hours a
day.
Do I keep the lights off all the time for a period and see
what happens? I have one small remaining plant in the tank that is
struggling to survive w/the reduced light, but if I need to sacrifice it to
get the tank normal again, that's fine. I have tried the "algae" killer
chemicals, not doing much. How do I get rid of this?

Thanks!
Leor

[Koi-lo]

"nobody101" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> They say a picture is worth 1000 words... Here is a picture of what comes
> out of my aqua-mini filter's sponge.
>
> https://home.comcast.net/~lamikam/fish/a1.jpg

It looks like you have a serious algae problem.

> I cleaned my cloudy tank today again. So, how does one get rid of this
> algae?

I think we need to know MORE to help you. How large is the tank and how
many fish are in it? How often do you vac the gravel and do water changes?
Could you be overfeeding? Do you have live plants in the tank?

> I have tried reducing the lighting time on the tank to only 3-4 hours a
> day.

I don't think light is the problem - algae food is!

> Do I keep the lights off all the time for a period and see
> what happens? I have one small remaining plant in the tank that is
> struggling to survive w/the reduced light,

If this were my tank I would do a 25 to 30% water change daily until this
algae is gone. I would also vac the gravel thoroughly and clean the filters
every few days. Leave the lights on 12 hours a day while doing this. If
it's an overfeeding problem cut back. If the tank is overcrowded get
another tank or give some fish away.

but if I need to sacrifice it to
> get the tank normal again, that's fine. I have tried the "algae" killer
> chemicals, not doing much. How do I get rid of this?

Don't use chemicals as they may kill the algae which then decays and feeds
yet another algae bloom. Water changes and gravel cleaning is going to be
the answer in the end.

--
Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
NEW PAGE: Aquariums:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy/Aquarium-Page4.html
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Steve]

nobody101 wrote:
> They say a picture is worth 1000 words... Here is a picture of what comes
> out of my aqua-mini filter's sponge.
>
> https://home.comcast.net/~lamikam/fish/a1.jpg
>
> I cleaned my cloudy tank today again. So, how does one get rid of this
> algae?
> I have tried reducing the lighting time on the tank to only 3-4 hours a
> day.
> Do I keep the lights off all the time for a period and see
> what happens? I have one small remaining plant in the tank that is
> struggling to survive w/the reduced light, but if I need to sacrifice it to
> get the tank normal again, that's fine. I have tried the "algae" killer
> chemicals, not doing much. How do I get rid of this?
>
> Thanks!
> Leor
>
>
>
>
You mention reducing light; however is the aquarium receiving daylight?
That would not necessarily be bad, but daylight will stmulate plant/
algae growth.

The only time I had something like this (green water) was with a large,
new aquarium. It cleared up by itself within a week.

I suppose that if your fish don't appear stressed, the green water may
not be harmful. From an old aquarium book "Green water... is heatlthy...
oxygenates the water... will disappear if left alone." But also from the
same book "When green water reaches the 'soupy' stages and is very
opaque, it is dangerous, especially in hot weather... liable to suddenly
decompose and kill the fishes... slightly yellowish tinge is the danger
signal... calls for an immediate water change... minutes count. (Exotic
Aquaium Fishes, W.T. Innes, reissued by T.F.H. 1966).

The old book mentions a mantle of floating plants as a cure for green
water: Riccia, Duckweed or Salvinia. Also papers placed on the
(day)light side of the aquarium to reduce light. The book also mentions
"remove some fishes if crowding is suspected... feed less... siphon the
bottom frequently."

The old book mentions daphnia as able to clear green water. I've never
even seen daphnia, although it's also mentioned as live food for fish.
Steve

[nobody101]

It's a 10-gal. tank. I have 6 fish in there. I have not been overfeeding.
There is one live plant in the tank, but is not looking too good. I will
try the daily water changes and see what happens.


"Koi-lo" > wrote in message
...
>
> "nobody101" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> >
> > They say a picture is worth 1000 words... Here is a picture of what
comes
> > out of my aqua-mini filter's sponge.
> >
> > https://home.comcast.net/~lamikam/fish/a1.jpg
>
> It looks like you have a serious algae problem.
>
> > I cleaned my cloudy tank today again. So, how does one get rid of this
> > algae?
>
> I think we need to know MORE to help you. How large is the tank and how
> many fish are in it? How often do you vac the gravel and do water
changes?
> Could you be overfeeding? Do you have live plants in the tank?
>
> > I have tried reducing the lighting time on the tank to only 3-4 hours a
> > day.
>
> I don't think light is the problem - algae food is!
>
> > Do I keep the lights off all the time for a period and see
> > what happens? I have one small remaining plant in the tank that is
> > struggling to survive w/the reduced light,
>
> If this were my tank I would do a 25 to 30% water change daily until this
> algae is gone. I would also vac the gravel thoroughly and clean the
filters
> every few days. Leave the lights on 12 hours a day while doing this. If
> it's an overfeeding problem cut back. If the tank is overcrowded get
> another tank or give some fish away.
>
> but if I need to sacrifice it to
> > get the tank normal again, that's fine. I have tried the "algae" killer
> > chemicals, not doing much. How do I get rid of this?
>
> Don't use chemicals as they may kill the algae which then decays and feeds
> yet another algae bloom. Water changes and gravel cleaning is going to be
> the answer in the end.
>
> --
> Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
> Aquariums since 1952
> My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
> NEW PAGE: Aquariums:
> http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy/Aquarium-Page4.html
> http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
> ~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>
>
>
>

[Sue]

"nobody101" > wrote in message
...
> It's a 10-gal. tank. I have 6 fish in there. I have not been
> overfeeding.
> There is one live plant in the tank, but is not looking too good. I will
> try the daily water changes and see what happens.

What are these fish please?

[Fishman]

The main points for an algae bloom of this sort to occur is based from two
things:

Both of these must be present in order for it to occur. Sufficient food
supply and sufficient light source. Another post hinted that natural light
might be hitting the tank. Even though your lights are not on for very
long, natural light is usually enough to supply that part of the equation.

The next part would then be in the form of a food source for the algae.
Mostly, this is some chemical component such as phosphate or nitrate. Both
of these come abundantly in processed fish food and even more so once the
fish and biofilter have processed the waste. Some municipalities may have
higher concentrates in the city water source. You should be able to get a
report from your water company letting you know what those levels are.

A recommendation to increase water changes and clean out the filters during
those changes is good advice to follow. Just keep in mind that any thorough
cleaning could reset the cycling process. Also, this kind of water change
routine acts more like population control for the algae and does not
necessarily correct the cause of the bloom. The key is to find out which
part of the algae formula is in excess and reduce it: The light or the food
source for algae. Meanwhile, the water changes will help remove any excess
food sources in the water, re-prime the filters for maximum efficiency and
help keep the water column clear by removing the free floating algae.

Fishman

"nobody101" > wrote in message
...
> It's a 10-gal. tank. I have 6 fish in there. I have not been
overfeeding.
> There is one live plant in the tank, but is not looking too good. I will
> try the daily water changes and see what happens.
>
>
> "Koi-lo" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "nobody101" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > >
> > >
> > > They say a picture is worth 1000 words... Here is a picture of what
> comes
> > > out of my aqua-mini filter's sponge.
> > >
> > > https://home.comcast.net/~lamikam/fish/a1.jpg
> >
> > It looks like you have a serious algae problem.
> >
> > > I cleaned my cloudy tank today again. So, how does one get rid of
this
> > > algae?
> >
> > I think we need to know MORE to help you. How large is the tank and how
> > many fish are in it? How often do you vac the gravel and do water
> changes?
> > Could you be overfeeding? Do you have live plants in the tank?
> >
> > > I have tried reducing the lighting time on the tank to only 3-4 hours
a
> > > day.
> >
> > I don't think light is the problem - algae food is!
> >
> > > Do I keep the lights off all the time for a period and see
> > > what happens? I have one small remaining plant in the tank that is
> > > struggling to survive w/the reduced light,
> >
> > If this were my tank I would do a 25 to 30% water change daily until
this
> > algae is gone. I would also vac the gravel thoroughly and clean the
> filters
> > every few days. Leave the lights on 12 hours a day while doing this.
If
> > it's an overfeeding problem cut back. If the tank is overcrowded get
> > another tank or give some fish away.
> >
> > but if I need to sacrifice it to
> > > get the tank normal again, that's fine. I have tried the "algae"
killer
> > > chemicals, not doing much. How do I get rid of this?
> >
> > Don't use chemicals as they may kill the algae which then decays and
feeds
> > yet another algae bloom. Water changes and gravel cleaning is going to
be
> > the answer in the end.
> >
> > --
> > Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
> > Aquariums since 1952
> > My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
> > NEW PAGE: Aquariums:
> > http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy/Aquarium-Page4.html
> > http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
> > ~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>
> >
> >
> >
>
>

[nobody101]

Tetras, and one dwarf african frog.

"Sue" > wrote in message
...
>
> "nobody101" > wrote in message
> ...
> > It's a 10-gal. tank. I have 6 fish in there. I have not been
> > overfeeding.
> > There is one live plant in the tank, but is not looking too good. I
will
> > try the daily water changes and see what happens.
>
> What are these fish please?
>
>

[bassett]

"Koi-lo" > wrote in message
...
>
> "nobody101" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>>
>> They say a picture is worth 1000 words... Here is a picture of what comes
>> out of my aqua-mini filter's sponge.
>>
>> https://home.comcast.net/~lamikam/fish/a1.jpg
>
> It looks like you have a serious algae problem.
>
>> I cleaned my cloudy tank today again. So, how does one get rid of this
>> algae?
>
> I think we need to know MORE to help you. How large is the tank and how
> many fish are in it? How often do you vac the gravel and do water
> changes? Could you be overfeeding? Do you have live plants in the tank?
>
>> I have tried reducing the lighting time on the tank to only 3-4 hours a
>> day.
>
> I don't think light is the problem - algae food is!
>
>> Do I keep the lights off all the time for a period and see
>> what happens? I have one small remaining plant in the tank that is
>> struggling to survive w/the reduced light,
>
> If this were my tank I would do a 25 to 30% water change daily until this
> algae is gone. I would also vac the gravel thoroughly and clean the
> filters every few days. Leave the lights on 12 hours a day while doing
> this. If it's an overfeeding problem cut back. If the tank is
> overcrowded get another tank or give some fish away.
>
> but if I need to sacrifice it to
>> get the tank normal again, that's fine. I have tried the "algae" killer
>> chemicals, not doing much. How do I get rid of this?
>
> Don't use chemicals as they may kill the algae which then decays and feeds
> yet another algae bloom. Water changes and gravel cleaning is going to be
> the answer in the end.
>
> --
> Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
> Aquariums since 1952
> My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
> NEW PAGE: Aquariums:
> http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy/Aquarium-Page4.html
> http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
> ~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

Adding to our friends comments,, How much Sunlight does the Tank get,
Most Algae's need sunlight to survive. A friend had this problem and all he
did as wrap a blanket round the tank, cutting out, outside light getting to
the Tank. the algae was gone in a few days.
bassett

[nobody101]

Is does not get any direct light. I am going to try the daily partial
water change + blocking the light for a few days
and see what happens. I tested all my pH, N*, etc. and all are within
normal levels.


"bassett" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Koi-lo" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "nobody101" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >>
> >>
> >> They say a picture is worth 1000 words... Here is a picture of what
comes
> >> out of my aqua-mini filter's sponge.
> >>
> >> https://home.comcast.net/~lamikam/fish/a1.jpg
> >
> > It looks like you have a serious algae problem.
> >
> >> I cleaned my cloudy tank today again. So, how does one get rid of this
> >> algae?
> >
> > I think we need to know MORE to help you. How large is the tank and how
> > many fish are in it? How often do you vac the gravel and do water
> > changes? Could you be overfeeding? Do you have live plants in the
tank?
> >
> >> I have tried reducing the lighting time on the tank to only 3-4 hours a
> >> day.
> >
> > I don't think light is the problem - algae food is!
> >
> >> Do I keep the lights off all the time for a period and see
> >> what happens? I have one small remaining plant in the tank that is
> >> struggling to survive w/the reduced light,
> >
> > If this were my tank I would do a 25 to 30% water change daily until
this
> > algae is gone. I would also vac the gravel thoroughly and clean the
> > filters every few days. Leave the lights on 12 hours a day while doing
> > this. If it's an overfeeding problem cut back. If the tank is
> > overcrowded get another tank or give some fish away.
> >
> > but if I need to sacrifice it to
> >> get the tank normal again, that's fine. I have tried the "algae"
killer
> >> chemicals, not doing much. How do I get rid of this?
> >
> > Don't use chemicals as they may kill the algae which then decays and
feeds
> > yet another algae bloom. Water changes and gravel cleaning is going to
be
> > the answer in the end.
> >
> > --
> > Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
> > Aquariums since 1952
> > My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
> > NEW PAGE: Aquariums:
> > http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy/Aquarium-Page4.html
> > http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
> > ~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>
>
> Adding to our friends comments,, How much Sunlight does the Tank get,
> Most Algae's need sunlight to survive. A friend had this problem and all
he
> did as wrap a blanket round the tank, cutting out, outside light getting
to
> the Tank. the algae was gone in a few days.
>
bassett
>