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Post by Carl on Jan 14, 2009 1:12:08 GMT -5
One more "trick" I have used for green water is barley straw or barley pellets in the filter. This too has some science behind it in that the iodine in the barley kills off the algae. I have not used this in aquariums though, but in ponds it can be useful to (it is in my Green Pond Article) Carl
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Post by eve on Jan 14, 2009 1:47:59 GMT -5
i might be completely off here but how about trying a UV sterilizer if you see green algae bloom? i'm asking this, because i just saw a case of it where it absolutely worked the tank looked like this before treatment and this is what the tank looked only 1 week later
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Post by bikeguy33 on Jan 14, 2009 2:03:33 GMT -5
my biggest suggestion is to rinse the charcoal really well....this sounds like charcoal dust that i have seen way too often....
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Post by jonv on Jan 14, 2009 8:05:55 GMT -5
I kind of like that UV idea myself. I don't have UV personally, but I should. I have a feeling, at the very worst case if you use that, it would at least just only suspend and prevent current growth, and that's not really as big of a minus as that appears really. Especially if you look at it from the blocking off light for a few days angle, you might find this algae problem gone very soon. Perhaps as well, it might be worth your time to still test your tank and tap water for your phosphate levels too.
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Post by Carl on Jan 14, 2009 10:38:56 GMT -5
I could not agree more about this. I emphasize this in my UV Sterilization article, as this is just one of three main benefits of UV Sterilization, especially a properly installed one (correct flow rate). The other benefits are disease prevention and improved Redox/fish immunity. I mentioned a UV Sterilizer earlier in this thread, but I am a little gun shy as to pushing too hard as this very subject has gotten me falmed in other places more than any other subject, despite the hard evidence I have supporting their use. In my maintenance business, there were certain aquariums I would refuse to maintain on contract unless a UV Sterilizer was added to the aquarium as I knew as a fact that I would end up spending more of my time there and chemicals ($ out of my pocket) when a UV was absent. Here is the UV Sterilization article: Aquarium and Pond UV SterilizationAs well, I have a blog just about UV Sterilization: Aquarium and Pond UV Sterilizer articlesAnd even a directory: UV Sterilizer DirectoryOne problem I have encountered over the years is that persons would often connect the UV Sterilizer to a pump that has too high a flow rate for the UV being used (especially in sumps and ponds) or would buy a poor quality UV such as Jebo, Aqua Medic and others and then make a blanket anecdotal statement that UV Sterilizers do not work. Another problem is many UVs are over priced or loaded with gimmicks that drive up the price, but not the quality such as the UVs with wipers or the over priced Tetra and Turbo Twist (the Turbo Twist works, it is just over priced when compared to other equal UVs). Carl
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Post by donward on Jan 14, 2009 17:54:03 GMT -5
Started with going dark, try 3 days. willing to try UV what brand do you recomend. My tank 20 gal 20x24x10. I do want to leave that to last for i'm not working right now. I think you guys and girls found my problem. Rinsing all media at once might breaking my cycle. Looks like i need cleaning procedure. Vaccum gravel 1x wk scrub walls rinse foam filter 1 part media.
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Post by donward on Jan 14, 2009 18:05:03 GMT -5
I'll try the magnett trick 1st sounds more afordable right away.
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Post by eve on Jan 14, 2009 18:23:46 GMT -5
regards rinsing filter media, i only do that when my water flow gets slower, which sometimes only happens once a month sometimes twice a month all depends on how much junk finds it's way in my filters
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Post by Carl on Jan 14, 2009 18:48:11 GMT -5
Started with going dark, try 3 days. willing to try UV what brand do you recomend. My tank 20 gal 20x24x10. I do want to leave that to last for i'm not working right now. I think you guys and girls found my problem. Rinsing all media at once might breaking my cycle. Looks like i need cleaning procedure. Vaccum gravel 1x wk scrub walls rinse foam filter 1 part media. The Terminator is a good compact UV for the money; well made, good flow pattern, lower price, reliable. Beware of the Jebo and Aqua Medic. The Turbo Twist works well, but is a little pricy because the twist gimmick. I also make a Custom UV Sterilizer that is kind of bulky (because the large flow design) that I will pit against alomst any UV of any price. It is not quite as easy to use as the compacts due to its size, but I desgned it many years ago because was not happy with many on the market at the time (although many have improved since then, such as the Teminator and the Gamma) Carl
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Post by cashay on Jan 19, 2016 22:07:37 GMT -5
Your basic description implies that you may have lost your bio filtration, especially if your HOB has no way of saving bio filtration (such as a bio grid, sponge, etc.) This may simply take time and water changes, as well as less feedings, maybe with a different food too. Consider the poly pad in front of your regular filter media in your HOB as well. The Wonder Shells may also help If you can find out your GH at a later time this may be helpful, but this does not appear the problem (however all aspects need to be examined) Do not scrub decorations with anything other than a tool used for the aquarium, even the slightest amount of soap residue can cause cloudy water too. What about the location of the tank? Carl
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Post by cashay on Jan 20, 2016 11:37:40 GMT -5
My water keeps getting cloudy, I change it every two weeks or so but the first day it is clears day 3 on it gets cloudy more and more everyday. I have a HOB only, I use to have a sponge but took it out, I wonder if that is why? I just dont nderstand why it wont stay clear.any suggestions? Im up for trying anything,
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Jan 20, 2016 11:45:33 GMT -5
My water keeps getting cloudy, I change it every two weeks or so but the first day it is clears day 3 on it gets cloudy more and more everyday. I have a HOB only, I use to have a sponge but took it out, I wonder if that is why? I just dont nderstand why it wont stay clear.any suggestions? Im up for trying anything, A sponge goes a longgggg way in clearing an aquarium. I would add it back.
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Post by cashay on Jan 20, 2016 12:17:53 GMT -5
Ok so you think that's why it keeps clouding up?
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Post by cashay on Jan 20, 2016 12:20:20 GMT -5
I would send a pic but I dont see how to add an attachment.
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Post by Carl on Jan 20, 2016 16:29:57 GMT -5
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Post by cashay on Feb 1, 2016 15:29:55 GMT -5
I have the very same problem, My tank is over 4 years old, Never had this problem before. I thought it was because I took out the sponge filter, But I put it back in and the oscar was tearing it apart in peices, so I put it behind a decoration. lol He can't get to it but It still has not corrected the problem. I only feed once a day so I know its not that, plus I feed them the good stuff and brine shrimp. The oscar doesnt leave nothing anyway and if he dont get it the two huge algea eaters get it. maybe my uv light isnt working anymore but it is incased so I cant see it. Im changing the tank alot because of this BUT I want to see my fish!
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Feb 1, 2016 18:42:55 GMT -5
I have the very same problem, My tank is over 4 years old, Never had this problem before. I thought it was because I took out the sponge filter, But I put it back in and the oscar was tearing it apart in peices, so I put it behind a decoration. lol He can't get to it but It still has not corrected the problem. I only feed once a day so I know its not that, plus I feed them the good stuff and brine shrimp. The oscar doesnt leave nothing anyway and if he dont get it the two huge algea eaters get it. maybe my uv light isnt working anymore but it is incased so I cant see it. Im changing the tank alot because of this BUT I want to see my fish! Agree it will take some time for the sponges. The stability gets it going in a few days. Those UV bulbs should be replaced every 6-12mo. So, if your not sure, it most likely means it time to be replaced. Those two together will do the trick.
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Post by cashay on Feb 15, 2016 13:41:33 GMT -5
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Post by cashay on Feb 15, 2016 14:08:18 GMT -5
Well I have posted a picture of my water but I don't know where it went on here, I have gotten a new UV light 3-4 days ago and put my sponge filter back in over 3 weeks ago and water is still cloudy, dont know what to do anymore..
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Post by Carl on Feb 15, 2016 14:47:48 GMT -5
Well I have posted a picture of my water but I don't know where it went on here, I have gotten a new UV light 3-4 days ago and put my sponge filter back in over 3 weeks ago and water is still cloudy, dont know what to do anymore.. Did you "attach" the picture or was it hosted on photobucket, flicker, etc.? As for your UV, did you make sure the lamp is glowing properly? Unfortunately it is not uncommon for ballasts to fail, especially if run with a lamp that is older than a year and the ballast keeps attempting to light. Reference: www.americanaquariumproducts.com/UVBulbTroubleShooting.html Did you use a low pressure UV replacement lamp as many UV lamps now sold are medium pressure which have about 1/4 the UVC output? Reference: www.uvsterilizerreview.com/2013/10/actual-uv-c-emission-from-uv-bulb.htmlCarl
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