Habitat - Indoor :: Green water - before and after photos

[stormtrooper]

hello everyone,

Please see attached the before and after photos of Gamera's tank water. It's now green and I cannot get it back crystal clear. I have been advised to do daily water change (20%) until the green colour dissipates. Can anyone help me. Does it have anything to do with the nitrogen cycle or good bacteria issue. One thing that I have noticed is that it went green not long after I got the Reptisun 5.0 UVB. I've also been told the green water isnt harmful. Is this true?

Thank you for your help.

[missibsu]

What kind of filter are you using? My tank does the cloudy thing when I do a partial water change because it stirs up everything that was on the bottom. My filter usually has it sparkling again in about an hour.

[stormtrooper]

Hello missibu,

I have an Eihem 2008 internal filter. My tank is not yet big enough to use those powerful external filters. I'm just puzzled as to what can be done to bring it back to how it used to be, as per the first photo. I've read all the "Green Water" topics on this forum, and have tried all the advices, most notably the prescribed water changes, but it still remains green. I'm really stressed out. I did read one thread where it says the green water doesnt actually harm the turtle, but I'm still worried as having the water crystal clear at least looks more healthy to have. Please help. I'm also sorry for all the questions I've posted. I've only had Gamera for a month, so I'm still learning.

[missibsu]

What happens if you do a complete water change and rinse the filter too? When I added my UVB light I ended up with algea, but it clings to things, and it doesn't change the color of my water. Does the stuff in the water seem to settle?

[stormtrooper]

Thank you for your help missibu.

I've just changed 50% water this morning and havent turned on the UVB yet (instead I gave him 2 hrs sunlight on the balcony today), so I'll see if it still turns green by tomorrow morning. I didnt wash the filter as I was told if I do that, I'll lose beneficial bacteria. Is that correct. However, I'll do that if the water continues to turn green.

Yes, I've noticed the algae clinging to my the thermometer. I'm kinda sure when I do turn on the UVB light again, the water will turn green again. But it's weird coz other people are not having this problem.
I have both lights on for approx. 12 hrs a day which is what is recommended. I'm really puzzled and kinda frustrated that the water looks so dirty.

Thanks again for your help. Please advise.

[steve]

How long did it take for the 1st pic to get to the 2nd pic? I would get some serious green water when I incorrectly placed my tank near a window where direct sunlight came in. A partial change did very little to help me - 2 days later it would be green again. I would have to clean the filter and change all the water and it would stay clear for a week or two.

What kind of media are you using for your filter? Do you have any specifically designed for bio media (ceramic rings, stars)? Is it jut carbon and sponges? They all will eventually develop beneficial bacteria but if you have ceramic rings, you can rinse them in your tank water. You could wash the sponge material and toss or replace the carbon. Considering the size of the tank/filter/turtle, I wouldn't be concerned too much with beneficial bacteria and do a partial change once a week.

The UVB tube does look like it's exposing most of the water surface... are you also feeding in the tank? Those will both increase your algae problems.

[stormtrooper]

Hi Steve,

I've had Gamera for a month now. The first 3 weeks there was no problem as the water was as clear as it was in the 1st pic. Then, last week, I started noticing the water going green. This occured a few days after I had installed a light fitting with reptisun UVB light tube, as prior to that, Gamera used to get sunlight from the balcony everyday.

I am not using any type of media, it is just an internal filter with sponge.

Steve, when you say you used to clean the filter and all of the water, and it stayed clear for a week or two, does it mean your water eventually turned green again after that time?

Also, would you suggest I expose a lesser water surface area to the UVB light? For example, would it help if I turned the light fitting around to be parallel to the dock? Also, as you can see from the 2nd pic, I've lifted the side that shines on the dock higher as I was advised to not place it closer than 8inches from the basking turtle. Is this right?

My apologies for all the questions. I really do want to keep my turtle as content and healthy as possible. I just want to make sure I am doing everything right.

Thank you for your help once again.

[Turtle-Turtle]

I changed my entire tank last Friday and the water was crystal clear. The next day it turned a slight bit cloudy and still remains the same. It is not green, though. Since my tank is rather small at the moment, I think this couldiness is from the air in the water. If you put the light next to the tank you can see micro bubbles of oxygen/air, everywhere. Kind of like when you turn water on hard to get a glass of water at your sink., but that eventually goes away since you don't have the continual source of water/air moving.

[steve]

There was a green water problem when my tank was getting too much light. A complete cleaning was good for about 2 weeks with this arrangement. Then it would turn green very quickly.

I would try re-arranging it or maybe simply covering the right side. Currently I'm using a compact fluorescent, which can fit into a standard light fixture.

With your filter and media, I'd do frequent changes instead of expecting the filter to keep the water crystal clear.

Turtle-Turtle, what are you using for a filter and what media is in there?

[Turtle-Turtle]

Turtle-Turtle, what are you using for a filter and what media is in there?

Before I get flamed...I know I am not using an ideal set up and plan to change it shortly.

I have a 10 gallon tank with a zoomed 501 filter that has ceramic, carbon, and the standard mechanical filter. The spray bar is about an 1 1/2-2 inches above the water pointing straight down so it is creating a bit of air bubbles when it hits.

[steve]

Nobody here flames... not intentionally anyway.

My water gets a little cloudy with a complete water change, usually the cold water appears foggy - though there is an abundance of oxygen being introduced. New ceramic media might also make it abit cloudy... it could be that the beneficial bacteria hasn't had a chance to colonize yet or there is a bacteria bloom. Also, I think I would try lowering the spray-bar since you've mentioned it's more bubbly than a "cloud".

[Turtle-Turtle]

Nobody here flames... not intentionally anyway.
New ceramic media might also make it abit cloudy... it could be that the beneficial bacteria hasn't had a chance to colonize yet or there is a bacteria bloom.

Thanks for the help. I raised the water level so the spray bar is closer to the water. I believe you might be right about the ceramic media... I have read that it takes 4-6 weeks to get a good colonization of the beneficial bacteria that you are talking about.

[alkaiser]

I've noticed that water can turn yellow/brown if you put wood in for a while, could be the same way for green water I guess. Does your filter use a carbon insert of some kind? Those really seem to make water sparkle.

[marisa]

Wood releases tannins, which color the water that brownish color you're talking about. The greenish water is more the result of the light and heat (from the lights) as well as any minute debris in the tank/water.

[ryouexp1]

See my post in the algae section about using willow branches to treat grren water.