General Care Discussion :: Water Conditioner

[Jet]

Can I use the same water condioner for my RES that I use in my fish tank? My water problem is driving me crazy. Water is always cloudy and greenish. I've been doing a 25% water change every couple of days but today it got me so aggravated that I did more than a 50% water change and it is not much better.
Filter is fine, not over feeding. My little guy is great doesn't seem to care but I just don't like the look. Levels are normal, amonia was a bit high the other day so I did an almost complete change on Friday night. Leaving very little of the old water.
I haven't ever used a water conditioner in the time I've had him but maybe I need to?
Thanks everyone!
Tina

[emma]

What kind of filter are you using and how much water is in your tank?

[steve]

Water conditioner won't prevent green water, which is an algae issue. Any sunlight reaching the tank?

[grey goose]

You must use water conditioner every time you do a water change to remove the chlorine. Chlorine destroys the nitrifying bacteria in your filter. That's why you are having ammonia spikes and cloudy water. Reptisafe is the best but just about any conditioner will work. I personally don't care for the ones that have slime coat in them.
Also don't change out more than 50% of the water at a time unless you have a nitrate spike.

[Jet]

We have a FluVal 205 in a 45 gallon tank that has about 20 gallons of water in it.
The tank is not next to a window or any sunlight.
Yesterday I did the water change and today cloudy and greenish again. I do not see any algae growing on his rock or in the tank.
This is driving me crazy! I'm thinking of doing yet another water change but I'm wondering if it might be my local water source or if I should take out his plants and stuff.
This has got to be the most frustrating thing!
Thanks for your advice.
Tina

[pinkcadillac]

I might consider using a different water source next time you do a water change. Maybe go down the a water and ice or local water store and buy some there. That way you can see if it an issue in the tank or with your water. Make sure you still condition that water and double check your filter to make sure it isnt dirty.

[Bascomb]

JT -- Algae can be a royal pain and hard to get rid of. Your water changes may be too much. A 50 percent when it clouds up should be enough. I had one of my tanks to just about put me out of my misery. My solution was a little extreme but it worked. I completely took the tank apart and bleached everything including tubing, hose and the filter/pump. After putting it all back, I used distilled water. With the turtles out of the water I used some algae destroyer chemical per directions. I put it in the tank and let the pump run for about 5 minutes and cut it off, as the charcoal will take the chemical out of the water. I then completely brushed of my turtles with warm salt water and let them dry. I let the tank and turtles sit for about 5 hours and then put them back in and cut on the pump. When the new tank syndrome started back up I did a 50 percent change and then hooked up a diatom polisher and ran that for a day. It worked, but, what a couple of days of cussing and hand wringing. One last thing - limit the amount that your uvb is on, as the rays have a tendency of supporting algae. Good Luck.