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My beau has been having a problem with green water. He used Crystal Clear and it cleared the water, but it since has returned. Nitrites and ammonia are nil and the ph is 6.4. Unfortunately, his test kit lack a nitrate test.

The fish don't seem affected. The tank light is always, but he has no plants in the tank. Any suggestions would be appreciated. He's looking for a solution that is cheap and fairly easy.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Without a nitrate test it's harder to guess what the problem is exactly. Green water though will only show up in high light and that doesn't just mean the tank light. Sunlight from windows is a major cause of really stubborn algae outbreaks. If the tank is in a well lit room or getting sunlight at any time of the day all you can do is cover the window better. If there are no plants then you can put on a smaller light for no more than 8hours a day. For now I would completely black the tank out. No turning the light on, cover it with a sheet/blanket/black construction paper so at least 3 sides are dark, and leave it that way until the algae clears up. In the meantime do water changes both in case the nitrate is high and to remove the algae that will start dying. Probably 25% at least twice weekly for a couple weeks. 3-4times for the first week wouldn't hurt either unless you have odd tapwater or haven't been doing water changes often enough. The algae will return though if the tank starts receiving lots of light again or nutrients are allowed to build up. It would be good to get a nitrate test since it can give you a good indication of the level of nutrients available to the algae and how frequently you need to do water changes.

Hi,
Everyone with an aquarium should have a complete test kit.
That being said, here is a site that will help you
vanquish the Green Water:

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

Hope this helped...
Frank


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

Hi and welcome to the site. You say

The tank light is always, but he has no plants in the tank.

Word seems to be missing after "always". Are you saying the light is always on? Or always off?

The water is green but no accumulation on walls and gravel or decor items?

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~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

Hello sydsfish im new around here but not new to the hobby. I am going to assume that this is a fairly new setup since you dident say. What has happend sydsfish, if this is a fairly new setup you are having whats called an alge bloom and their is not enough good bacteria yet to consume this bloom. This is the easy short way to put it. This happens all the time to new tanks with fish and is easy to fix but takes time. First you need to cut out that light and use it only when you are looking at your fish as fish don't need very much light. Second you can change 20% of the water each day and no more for about a week this will help. And make sure your doing 20% water changes at least once a week and no more than 20%, this is important for healthy fish and the good bacteria your fish need. Some people say change more but I say NOWAY because the more you remove the more good bacteria go's with it. Also make sure you have a good working air stone of some type to agitate the water. Crysta Clear is a good product but way over used. The key is to stop the sorce first though. Feed only small amounts once or twice a day and try not to over feed. Also try adding something like some stress zyme this product contains the good bacteria. If you know somone that already has a helthy well established tank you can get a handfull of gravel form them or a media insert from their power filter and place it in yours this will really help. Third I reccomend a good bio wheel power filter like a penguin these are great. Last I would only use 1/4 inch of gravel in my tank if any at all this helps as well and I have my tanks setup this way. You need to as well get you a good master test kit that contains all you need to test your water, the liquid test kits are the best and more accurate. Last try adding some salt to the tank as this will help youur water as well with any stressed fish in your tank.Keep the salt stable for at least a week no more than two weeks. Get salt that's labled for aquarium use only. I really hope this helps you and let me know if I can help futher.