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Hi I have a 5 gallon airiated hex 5 tank .. I know it\'s small but I wanted something small for now .. I\'ve had it for about a month w/ no problems .. the Bio filter is running great .. eveything is clean .. I have a fantail goldfish in there that seems to be very happy, the watter has been clear up until last week !!! I have scrbbed the algea on the walls of the tank, and all of a sudden a few days later !!! Green watter !!! I have been doing my watter changes every week, prob about 50% along w/ changing the filter bag, and scrubbing the inside of the filter, and I don\'t understand what is going wrong ????? can sombody help me !! (I havn\'t tested the water for ph, nitrites or anything just yet) I\'m going to buy a kit tomorrow ! Oh and are the test strips ok to use ???

Test strips tend to be less accurate than the test kits that have liquids that you drop into test tubes, therefore we tend to recommend those test kits instead of using the strips.

It's especially important to be testing for ammonia and nitrites when you're just starting out. I expect that what's happening is that you've gotten to the point where the nitrogen compounds (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates) are starting to be used by algae. Too much food may be a possible cause. If your tank is in the sun, that would be a contributing factor. Considering goldfish are pretty messy, too much of these nitrogenous wastes is not surprising. Water changes are a good way to help cut down on these nutrients for algae.

Another way to get rid of algae may be to get plants; goldfish are omnivorous, so you want to get something that they're either not going to eat, or it grows fast enough that the goldfish isn't going to be able to keep up with it. Java moss is a tough, hardy plant that grows in almost any condition. Plants will compete with algae and can help to clear up a tank.

I remember when I first started keeping fish I didn't have a bubbler in my tank; but once I added a bubbler the tank became a lot clearer. My water was green and I didn't even notice it until I saw how much my tank cleared up, haha. That might be another possibility that could help.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Hmm shinigami is right a good plat for goldfish Is anchris or elodia heres a link from this site

http://fishprofiles.com/profiles/plants/Anacharis/75002/

its real good for geting rid of alge i used to have alge in my tank and i cleard it out and goldfish are nice but its probly going to grow to big for that small tank


>>>>>>a learning experience as an aquarist can be fun but you must be ready to take and obey advice and criticism but most of all be patient<<<<<<<

Oh Thanks guys !!!! Yeah, I may have to upgrade to a bigger tank in time .. Thank you for all your help !!!

Hi,
Here is a link to an article on "Green Water" in
which the problem is described, pictured, and
ways to combat it (if you don't want it).

http://www.otocinclus.com/articles/greenwater.html

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Ohhh .. thanks Frank !!!

So I baught a Master Freshwater test kit (the one w/ the test tubes) and the results for today were ::

PH: 8.0 (ppm)
Ammonia: 0.25 (ppm)
Nirite: 0 (ppm)
Nitrate: 10 (ppm)

Just thaught I'de fill you in .. these results were after my water change of about 50%. However, the only difference before the water change was the Ammonia level which was at 0.50 (ppm).. So I am happy I baught the test kit !! It was soo much fun testing the water w/ the test tubes, and adding the solutions !! ahahahah !! So what do you think about my test results ?? I know .. I have to work on getting the Ammonia down to 0 right? (Along w/ keeping an eye on everything else going on in the tank) that's the goal !

~ As far as the green water, I havn't baught any plants just yet ..(the pet store I had gone to said that they would have to order them for me) I'm actually not to crazy about adding them into my tank, but heck .. why not, maybe I will ..


Ohhh .. and Shinigami I do have a bubbler !!!

Hi,
Actually, don't worry about that ammonia reading.
I think you will find that if you draw a glass of water
from the tap, let it sit for 24 hours to Degas and then
test, and you will find some ammonia in the water.

The reading comes from the chloramine that the water
treatment plant uses to kill off bacteria. Additionally,
the chemicals that you use to eliminate ammonia and
condition the water during the water changes, affect the
ammonia reading. The conditioner changes the ammonia on
a molecular level to a form of ammonia that is not harmful
to the fish. However, the test kit reads ammonia, period.
So the result is a normal reading of 0.25 to .05 (depending
upon the season).

The zero nitrite and a reading of nitrate coupled with the
0.25 ammonia reading indicates that the tank is cycled and
healthy.

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Hi Frank !!
Yay !! How exciting !!! Thanks Frank !!!
Ok .. I have another question :: when cleaning my tank, is it ok to rinse off the filter cartridge with hot tap water? (I've been doing that as part of my weekly water changes) in between changing the filter cartride every 2-4 weeks. Oh and yes .. I do use a water conditioner when I do my water changes it's API Stress Coat. I usually do a 50% water change once a week is that to much water?
~ Hope all is well with you !!

Hi,
Most folks will drain their tank into a bucket when
doing a water change, and then squeeze out the filter
sponge in the old water. The general thinking is that
running water from the tap contains chlorine and chloramine
which are chemicals designed to kill bacteria.

The overwhelming majority of the bacteria colonies that
support the Nitrogen Cycle, are inside the tank covering
each surface and the surfaces of each grain of gravel.
Cleaning the filter sponge as you are should make no
appreciable difference in the tank.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Sounds good !!! Thanks again Frank !!