What is going on in my tank??? (PICTURES INCLUDED)

[TommyG]

Hello all, I am new to salt water aquariums. I started up a few months back and until now, I haven't had any problems. First off, my tank has been turning green lately. I drained half the water about 3 weeks ago and replaced it with new. It stayed clear for a few days but now its back to having a green tint. Secondly, there are these hair like things growing on the rock as well as on the hermit crabs. Here are some pictures of the tank, the filters and the hairy rock. Please help me correct this. I havent lost any fish in about 3 - 4 months now.

THE TANK

THE FILTERS

THE HAIRY STUFF ON THE ROCKS

Thanks in advance for any help.

Tommy

 

[TommyG]

here are some more pictures of the hairy stuff on one of my hermit crabs. Please help me out.

 

[zenn]

Have you tested for nitrates lately?

My guess is your canister filters are trapping lots of nitrates and that's feeding the algae outbreak.

I'm not exactly sure what the hairy things are but they're most likely some kind of algae. Generally speaking, canister filters are not a good idea to use with saltwater aquariums. They can trap waste and release nitrates back into your system. If you do use canister filters...you have to change out the filters quite often.

 

[fishfreek]

Interesting. Does the harry stuff have any color? Its hard to tell from the images. Its likly a form of hair algae and as Zeen pointed out you should check the water quality for nutrents that the alge will use.

You mention no loss of fish for 3-4 months so the tanks been setup for a while and that time can allow for nutrent build up to start. What kind of water are you using for your top offs and new saltwater mixing? Have you checked for phosphates amonst the normal water quality tests?

 

[TommyG]

Have you tested for nitrates lately?

My guess is your canister filters are trapping lots of nitrates and that's feeding the algae outbreak.

I'm not exactly sure what the hairy things are but they're most likely some kind of algae. Generally speaking, canister filters are not a good idea to use with saltwater aquariums. They can trap waste and release nitrates back into your system. If you do use canister filters...you have to change out the filters quite often.

Does anyone know how to change the filters?

 

[faerykisses]

your filter should have come with instructions. mine did.

 

[Florida8]

if not, go to yahoo or google and type the make and model in and download the owners guide/book

 

[oyf709]

the canister filter on ur right is a algae generator if you don't clean it often...trust me, i baught one and now i almost going to throw it out of the window.