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Question
QUESTION: so my problem is the following.  I have a 55 gallon planted aquarium with stickly freshwater cherry shrimp < i have a t5 overhead lamp with a co2 system(sugar and yeast) and a sponge filter adicuate for my size tank> my question is how long should i have the co2 system running and how can i get ride of what looks like to me like green hair algae and also is their a way to ride my tank of matels as i have heard that shrimp cant stand it and tap water in NC as i have heard has lots of heavy metal

ANSWER: Hi Hector,

Your Cherry shrimp is sick because water conditions are bad.  How do I know the conditions are bad?  Because you have algae.

Algae cannot grow without waste to eat.  Without waste, there is no food supply and even in heavy light, algae will die.

The Co2 should be on for a planted tank, so I assume you have plants.  Can you tell me the following info so I can better help you in regards to how long the CO2 should be on?

1. How many plants are in the tank?  A guess is fine.
2. How long do you run the T5 lamp?
3. How warm do you keep the water?
4. How often are you doing water changes and what percentage of water do you change?

A sponge filter is not adequate for your tank, no matter what the size.  It isn't filtering.  It's just straining dirt out of the water.  The fish waste is still there.  Have you considered a stronger filter?

Tonight, take out a bowl of water.  Put it in a white bowl.  Is that water crystal clear or can you see it?  If it has any color, the water has ammonia and nitrites and that is why the shrimp is sick.  That is why there is algae.  The filter needs to be changed to a high quality fliter. :)

I truly hope this is helpful and I look forward to your response so I may help you by finishing the answers to your questions.

Renee

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i have about 10 plants. with two of them being some what spread ground coverage

i just recently bought the t5 lamp (weekago) but before i had a t8 lamp with 4 pet store bulbs in it that ran for 12 hours. also didn't do much of the co2 thing either and things seemed to be doing fine. its just recently that i changed lamps and set the timer for 8 hours of light that things started going out of wack. i still have a 75 gallon power filter on it and wanted to change to a sponge filter thinking it would make things better
How often and what kind of sponges should i be using.?

i keep the water between 70 - 74

i probably don't do enough water changes but when i do i change about 25-30 percent.

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP

Answer
Hello again,

Water changes should be at least monthly at 25%.

Sponge filters are not good enough quality.  I recommend a HOB filter.  Hang on back filers work great.  If your tank is 75 gallons, buy filters rated at the lowest to 75 gallons.  For instance if rated to 75/150, don't go by the 150.  Go by the 75.

A sponge filter is just going to filter debris and will not filter poop.

Changing out 25% a month is okay but your water conditions are probably bad right now, so do a 50% change.

For a 55 gallon aquarium, I recommend two (2) of these filters.  Marineland Penguin 350.  Two.  Rated far higher than 55 gallons, but ample, proper filteration for that size aquarium.

That is what has been reliable for me.  Anything less seems to not do the job.

I hope this helps. :)  Happy fish-keeping.

Renee