Green algae

[tug]

For that mater if it's green water live daphnia will eat at the problem. Assuming the fish don't eat the daphnia first. Using a Diatom filter for GW is probably the simplest solution. That and reducing the level of light along with a few water changes.

 

[mdlnewman]

Yea that cyano that comes off in one piece is what I had in the discus tank, it has a fx5 so flow wasn't the issue it was nasty media in my case. I slowly over a few months swapped all the porous media out for new bio rings and no more cyano. I have a set of sponges to swap out still but the problem is gone so the lazy part kicked in and they haven't been replaced yet.

 

[Avatar]

Roger that...

It's in a couple ten gallons with sponge filters, and a heavily over-filtered 40 breeder with lots of great plant growth (cambomba, et. al.). I'll try 80% water changes and thorough filter cleanings and see if it goes away. Thanks for the ID and the suggestions - one way or another seems there's just too much nutrient loading/surplus.

 

[dogofwar]

Try adding a box filter to your tanks with sponges (and changing the fluff on a regular basis)... it's amazing how much less gunk will be in the tank (that helps algae grow)...

Matt

 

[tug]

Hi Matt,
You can never have too much filtration or filters. I'm beginning to have quit a collection of filters hanging around the basement as spares. I'm expecting to have my power shut off while some work is being done in the basement/fish room and will be looking for a few air driven filters very soon.

For my 20 gallon planted tank I use a canister filter. It say's it filters 220 gallons/hour. So, If you believe the manufacturers claims the tank volume turns over 11 times in an hour. By some hobbyists standards that might be considered a minimum requirement for a planted tank. But you have to realize the more plants and stuff the more the water flow is restricted.

- Mike