green water, Algae in tank

Question
QUESTION: Hello! I have a 10 gallon tank which has been up and running for about 5 years.  I have 5 fish. All tetras. The tank developed a problem about 2 months ago, and I cannot get it fixed.  The water is green. I have used products to kill algae to no avail. I have done partial water changes - twice per week for 3 weeks. Still green. I keep the algae that is actually growing on the sides cleaned off. I have removed all but a very thin layer of rock. I exchange the fake plants and their little barrel which they like to hide and play in each time I work on the tank. The chemicals seem fine. I change the Mini Pen filter regularly. I even cleaned the filter off (it rolls around and is made of a type of cellulose) but not completely nor have I replaced it. I don't want to disrupt the "maturity" of the tank. I use aquarium salt. I Stress Zyme and coat and Balance. I've tried everything I know to do but I cannot get the crystal clear water back. It looks like an outdoor pond. Green. Can you help? At this point I don't know what to do but completely start over which will surely kill my fish!

ANSWER: Hello Pam,

So there is a few possible options here:

1.) You might be using a tap water that has minerals and bacteria in it that helps algae grow. So you may want to use a bottle water or gallon jugs to fill your tank wich wouldnt be too bad with a ten gallon tank.


2.) You could empty your tank completly and clorox it and RINSE IT WELL. this can be done to all the toys and plants for your fish as well as long as the plants are not living.

The real objective here is to get rid of the Algae particles completly so that you tank does not get green water.

If you have any further questions feel free to contact me again!

Thanks,
Mike M


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

QUESTION: Hi Mike, and I thank you for your suggestions. I guess I should get a new filter too. I'll be completely starting over with a new, unseasoned tank, and I'm so concerned that my fish will die. What are your thoughts on these 2 issues? Thanks!!

Answer
Hey again,

Well you have a few options. If you wanted to purchase a new 10 gallon tank for around $12.00 (does not include anything but tank.) and just keep your fish in the current tank. then you could add water to the new tank with NEW gravel and let it sit for around two weeks. Use bottled water to fill it up. Then the day you are looking at switching the fish over you could clean the filter and the other toys/plants with really deluted clorox water. The ratio for water to clorox should be one tablespoon per three gallons. If you complete these steps then you should be able to kill the algae problem in your tank. But you well need new gravel, and if you could get another tank that would be great too.

Your other option is to try and use a Algae removing chemical, and I would strongly suggest not to do that if at all possible. The Algae remover will most likely turn your tank cloudy and possibly kill your fish. It does that because when the algae dies it lets off bacteria and other organic materials that can mess up the water chemistry. So I would strongly suggest going for every other option first.

If you have any other questions, or you want to tell me the results please send me a follow up.

Thanks,
Exp. Michael M.