Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone else have very green water? It's making me crazy. I am trying to resist the temptation to dump everything and start over. I did a 50% water change yesterday and used the gravel vac, so the water is not really dirty, just really green. I assume it's because of algae. It is a 10 gallon tank, filled almost all the way to the top, with an Aqua Clear 300 filter. The filter media was replace about a week ago. Does anyone have any suggetions?

i have a 40 gallon filled up about half way, one day i made the mistake of throwing some vegtables in there, before i knew it...algea hit, my water started turning green , since then, ive kept my tank quite simple, the more rocks and accesories you have, the more it will grow, cause the algea will stick onto that and grow, i always do a 100% water change, the water manages to stay clean for a 1-2 weeks, but soon it starts to get somewhat green again, i really dont know what to do, the only thing that i can think of to do is to just get a new tank, w/ new rocks, etc...

I bought a pelco for my tank and only once has it turned green. I just added a couple of drops of algaefix in it and it is gone again. The algaefix kills just enough to make the water clear again, but not too much that Pepper (my pelco) doesnt have anything to eat.

When you change out your water it is better do leave about a 1/3 of the old water in there. It helps your filter and it doesnt stress out your turtle, fish (whatever you have in your tank) as bad. Good Luck

Greetings,

I use Algae-fix too. It comes in a small bottle and only cost a few buck. It seems to go a long way. Just put a few drops in per gallon of water.

I had a problem with brown slimy algae. I did a 100% change and clean everything with Vinegar, Salt and water. Use a good stiff brush to scrape it all off.

-Ravon

So Algae-Fix is safe to put in w/ turtles in the tank?...or do u do it...then clean out the tank...??

Two things you can try. Put a nitrate absorber into the filter. Your bioload is high and that is why (along with perhaps a bit too much light) you are getting an algae bloom. Another thing you can do that will eliminate green water is get a UV sterilizer for your tank. This will clear your water but any algae growing on the glass, gravel or rocks will still remain. UV only kill free floating material.

Thanks for the replies, what is a nitrate absorber (liquid, powder,sponge thing?) Can I get it at my local pet store. I am leaning toward that option because I think the UV sterilizer is fairly expensive.

I was told using algae fix would only add to the waste load in the tank and is not recommended by serious turtle keepers. I was also told that while the green water inhibits visibility and is not attractive, that it is not harmful to the turtles. Do you agree?

It comes in various forms You can get it in pouches that fit into your filter.

The algae is harmless just unsightly. UV is the best way to go but I agree it does get costly. The benefit of UV sterilizers is that it calls all sorts of nasty things in the tank (fungi, bacteria etc.) as well as free floating algae.

I just let green 'hair algae' grow all over the tank fixtures in my fish tank. It sponges up the extra nutrients so that free floating algae can't get a foothold. I'm in the process of trying to get it to grow in my turtle tanks. And I think it looks kinda cool, others may disagree.

I had a green water problem in my 75 gallon after I tried to grow some live plants. I broke the tank down completely to get rid of it, since I hadn't really thought of the hair algae thing... it was probably too late anyway.
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"The serpent crams itself with animal life that is often warm and vibrant, to prolong an existence in which we detect no joy and no emotion. It reveals the depth to which evolution can sink when it takes the downward path and strips animals to the irreducible minimum able to perpetuate a predatory life in its naked horror."
Alexander Skutch