eco23
Aquarium Advice Addict
I'm at a loss. After returning home on Sunday I thought my 48 gallon tank was experiencing a bacterial bloom. The water appeared quite milky, and I assumed it was due to the fact I had just added a fish and removed some filter media to donate to a friend and the BB was adjusting.
My parameters have remained the same- O ammo, 0 no2, 5-10 no3
As the days have passed the water appears to be getting greener. At first I thought it was just the reflections of all the plants in the tank giving me the appearance of green water, but now I believe it may actually be green. If I look from different angles it will still appear milky, but other angles are obviously green. I tried putting the water in a white plastic cup and still can't draw a definitive conclusion (kind of like the API ammo test, lol). It almost seems the milkiness is giving way to green...but it still may just be reflection.
I've done a couple 20% pwc's over the last few days but the problem appears to be getting worse instead of better.
Here are the changes that have been made to the tank recently-
Last couple weeks-
Slowly replacing fake plants with real ones and started weekly doses of Aqueon Plant Food (leaning towards this being the problem)
Last Wednesday-
Weekly pwc, light gravel vac and routine maintenance and cleaning of filter (Fluval 405)
Thursday-
Added a Bolivian Ram
Friday-
Removed a small portion of filter media to donate to a friend when I left town
Sunday-
Came home to cloudy water and added a few more real plants, performed 20% pwc to see if it helped with cloudiness
Tuesday-
Another 20% pwc
If this is an algae bloom, are there any steps to take or just wait it out? I obviously want to avoid chemicals.
Is there any danger to fish in a bacterial bloom? I just cranked up the air stones full blast in case in interferes with oxygen levels. Good move? Bad move?
BTW, my lighting is duel T-5 HO, 1 Ultra Sun and 1 actinic...both 39 watts each
Thanks!
My parameters have remained the same- O ammo, 0 no2, 5-10 no3
As the days have passed the water appears to be getting greener. At first I thought it was just the reflections of all the plants in the tank giving me the appearance of green water, but now I believe it may actually be green. If I look from different angles it will still appear milky, but other angles are obviously green. I tried putting the water in a white plastic cup and still can't draw a definitive conclusion (kind of like the API ammo test, lol). It almost seems the milkiness is giving way to green...but it still may just be reflection.
I've done a couple 20% pwc's over the last few days but the problem appears to be getting worse instead of better.
Here are the changes that have been made to the tank recently-
Last couple weeks-
Slowly replacing fake plants with real ones and started weekly doses of Aqueon Plant Food (leaning towards this being the problem)
Last Wednesday-
Weekly pwc, light gravel vac and routine maintenance and cleaning of filter (Fluval 405)
Thursday-
Added a Bolivian Ram
Friday-
Removed a small portion of filter media to donate to a friend when I left town
Sunday-
Came home to cloudy water and added a few more real plants, performed 20% pwc to see if it helped with cloudiness
Tuesday-
Another 20% pwc
If this is an algae bloom, are there any steps to take or just wait it out? I obviously want to avoid chemicals.
Is there any danger to fish in a bacterial bloom? I just cranked up the air stones full blast in case in interferes with oxygen levels. Good move? Bad move?
BTW, my lighting is duel T-5 HO, 1 Ultra Sun and 1 actinic...both 39 watts each
Thanks!