10 Gallon Aquarium

Question
QUESTION: I have 3 Danios, 3 Cory Cats and a Chinese Algea Eater in a 10 gallon aquarium.  OK, I know I am overstocked.  I need top change the water 2X weekly to keep it clear and to keep white, hairy-looking growth from growing on the live plants.  The water quality checks out OK, even with the greenish water and hairy growth.  I also have had very tiny black bugs invade the substrate.  I have an Aqua Clear filter made for a 20 gallon tank which I maintain regularly.  Are all of these problems (other than the little bugs that probably came in on a plant) related to overstocking?

ANSWER: Hi Mike

The green color is an algae bloom caused by too much light. Change the water as you have been, and only keep the tank lights on 10-12 hours a day. Also make sure the aquarium is away from windows and not getting direct sunlight. If this algae bloom persists, you can get a small UV Sterilizer.

The white hairy growth is a fungus or a mold probably feeding off of fish waste and food particles. With each water change, make sure you vacuum the gravel thoroughly and brush off the live plants to make sure no excess food has settled on the leaves.

AquaClear filters are not great filters. They are cheaply made. However, you don't want to switch out your filter, because you will cause the cycle process to start over again. This is just an fyi in case you ever do need to replace the filter, or you plan to start another tank. Bio Wheel filters made by Marineland are the best choice.

Overstocking does contribute to the problems you are having, but the direct cause is improper maintenance and poor water quality. As for the little bugs, always buy quality plants that are in packages and say "Guaranteed Snail Free" This will guarantee there are no snails or other parasites transported with them.

Hope this helps, good luck!

Richard

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

QUESTION: Thanks for the feedback.  If I would buy a new filter, is it possible to soak the new filter components in the existing aquarium water for a while to build up the bacteria?  

When I vac the gravel (2x weekly with water changes) I use a power vac and dig deep into the substrate.  The resultant water that I remove smells of rotten eggs and is very cloudy.  I assume that this is the bacterial stuff that keeps the tank in order?  

I'm sorry to ask such basic questions, but you just can't find some things in books.

Answer
Hi Mike

I wouldn't worry about replacing the filter at this point, but yes, soaking the filter media or Bio Wheel would allow beneficial bacteria to build up on it. Soak it inside a breeder net inside the aquarium so the fish can't chew on it.

The stuff that smells of rotten eggs is the excess waste and food particles that the white fungus is feeding on. If you think it smells bad when you siphon it out, think of what your fish are breathing in the aquarium, especially the Corys who are next to the gravel most of the time. The beneficial bacteria doesn't have an odor.

Hope this helps, good luck!

Richard