Green haze

[Athos]

If anyone can help I have this greenish haze in my tank and I can't figure out why. It has gotten a little better but is still very cloudy. I have done 3-16 gallon water changes in the last 2 1/2 weeks and am using phosban as well a charcoal for chemical media. all my test are at 0ppm and my main recirc pump is working well. I can't figure it out. Its the first time this has ever happened and I'm really stuck. Its been in my tank for about 3 weeks now. It started out really bad. I know my VHO lights are about due for replacements, could that have anything to do with it? Any and all suggestions are welcome at this point. It looks a little like a green algae bloom, but it is just floating in the water and there is no green hair algae attached to anything. Don't know. Getting very frustrated.

thanks to all. 8O

 

[Athos]

I am running a wet dry filter with a protien skimmer and 2 chemical chambers, one with phosban and the other with charcoal.

 

[Anonymous]

Suggestions: (and only suggestions)

1) Get some non-invasive macro algae in the tank like chaetomorpha and suck up the algae specific nutrients that may be feeding the green water.

2) Get some coral species that consume photosynthetic micro algae ??? I am still studying the texts.... Nepthea? Gorgonia??

 

[Anonymous]

Altos:

As stated the reason you are getting green water is because you system is producing nutrients for the algae that is making the water green.

the best short term and long term solution IMO is to add plant life like macro algaes to the system. Like in a refugium. Had you done that from the start you would not have the green water you have now.

Once you get the macros growing (like in just a few days) then you can kill the lights on your display until the water is clear. Should only take a couple of days. And with lights on the new thriving macros, your water parameters will remain at 0.0. then resume your normal lighting and the system should remain clear for years.

 

[danmhippo]

Green water is the presence of micro algae that is taking advantage of the excess nutrient in your water. I would find the source of nutrients, either source water used, too much food, or excess use of additives.

If I were you, I would cut off additives, if you are using any at all, and cut down on feeding. The quickest way would be do a couple large water change. UV sterilizer would be a very effective tool, but when algae are zapped by UV, the nutrients will eventually end up into water again, if not removed promptly via mechanical filtration. I would also check to see if the skimmer needs upgrading, removal of nutrient before they break down is the best way to keep your water clean.

If you can keep your tank dark (shut off all light source) for 4-5 days, it would also starve out most of the micro algae.