A little green water - need advice on my light

[JeffNebraska]

A few months ago I put in my first heavy-duty light. I think it is 94 watts for 30 gallons. I had just moved, so I was restarting my tank from scratch.

Anyway, my plants and fish (about 24) are thriving, but I can't get my water to be crystal clear. It's a bit hazy and definitely a bit green. Ammonia and nitrites are at 0. Nitrates are around 5, phosphates are .25, ph is 6.8. I don't test for anything else.

I have seen all the radical suggestions for solving the problem, but they seem to be for people with more severe issues than mine. I had my light up to 12 hours a day, but have since cut it back to 9 and am considering going lower.

Is less light my most likely solution? With the nitrates and phosphates relatively low, will daily water changes help? I have one Pl*co and three Ottos, but my understanding is that they can't eat floating algae.

Also, can someone fill me in on this polyester batting in the filter possibility? I know nothing about fabric and need a description of what I want to point some clerk in a store to the right thing.

All advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Guest]

Is less light my most likely solution? With the nitrates and phosphates relatively low, will daily water changes help?

Won't likely help much. I've been through green water (gw) 3 times now, finally got it beat.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=3250

If you have a magnum filter, folllow the above link and you can get rid of your gw problem in less than a day!

If you don't have a magnum or diatom filter, check with your local fish stores, some of them rent diatom filters. Using a magnum or a diatom filter will get all the single-cell floating algae out, I guarantee.

I went through all the crud, 5-day blackouts, use this chem, that chem, blech...
When I learned of this solution I was sold. I'll never worry about gw again.