Other Names:
Algae bloom
Color:
Green tinted water
Appearance:
The water itself turns green. In severe cases the water may be so green that the fish are not visible.
Cause:
Suspended microscopic algae
Excess light, especially direct sunlight
Too many fish
Excess nutrients
Excess wastes
Green water is usually due to either a significant excess of light (particularly direct sunlight), or a major water quality problem. Although it may look terrible, it is not toxic to fish.Cure:
Blocking out light completely
Diatomic or micron filtration
Introduce daphnia to the tankWater changes will reduce green water temporarily, but will not eliminate it. Completely blocking out all light for three days or more is very effective. The use of a diatomic filter will remove the suspended algae. If daphnia are available, they will quickly eat the microscopic algae, then in turn be eaten by the fish.Note:
Water aggregators that profess to clump suspended algae and remove it are not effective against green water.
Prevention:
Regular water changes
Regular aquarium cleaning
Use of UV Filter
Avoid direct sunlight on tank
Avoid overfeeding fish
Do not overstock the tank
As with any algae, keeping the tank clean and performing regular water changes is one of the best preventative measures. Prompt attention to sudden algae growth will prevent more serious problems
