Green Water (unwanted)

[Linda4fish]

Since Removing some snails and putting in another tank I have had a green bloom in my 5 gallon.

After doing some research I spoke to the owner of my local fish store and he recommended completely blacking the tank out for three days.

That sounds like the easiest fix to me?

this tank does not have a filter that I could put a UV light in

 

Edited February 19, 2022 by Linda4fish

[Guppysnail]

On the UV green killing machine makes ones slow flowing and not to large that just suction cup inside the tank and plug into the wall.

green water is not a terrible thing just unpleasant to view. However the root cause of it, excess food/nutrients in the tank can be a symptom of issues that can cause water quality issues. The snails were consuming the extra food. Removing them allowed that excess to accumulate and deteriorate adding nutrients to the water. Blacking out the tank works but is not the best route and will only temporarily end green water it will return if the root cause is not corrected. Also  fast killing of the free floating algae can cause an ammonia spike. The tank being blacked out inhibits the plants best ability to consume it and as the algae dies it releases ammonia into the tank. It is also currently consuming the excess ammonia and nutrients etc in the tank from the excess food and detritus being broken down. 
Cut back on feeding. Vac up any uneaten food. Decrease your light period a little bit. Water changes alone will not fix it. Using these steps it will go away on its own in a safer manner and will not return unless too much nutrients are added to the tank via excess food or overstocking. Best of luck I hope this helps. 
 

[gardenman]

In my experience, time will make it go away and you don't have to do anything. Intentionally keeping green water is challenging and typically fails, so give it time and something will find its way to your tank that eats the green water and that something will soon multiply and consume the green stuff. Odds are you already have some form of life in the tank that's feasting on the green stuff and is rapidly multiplying. Just give it time and the green water will disappear. It may take a few weeks, but green water is food for other microorganisms and when they find it, they eat it.

[Torrey]

On 2/19/2022 at 7:28 AM, gardenman said:

It may take a few weeks, but green water is food for other microorganisms and when they find it, they eat

it... and then they become food to a bigger organism.

A true cycle of life.

[Linda4fish]

On 2/19/2022 at 6:28 AM, gardenman said:

In my experience, time will make it go away and you don't have to do anything. Intentionally keeping green water is challenging and typically fails, so give it time and something will find its way to your tank that eats the green water and that something will soon multiply and consume the green stuff. Odds are you already have some form of life in the tank that's feasting on the green stuff and is rapidly multiplying. Just give it time and the green water will disappear. It may take a few weeks, but green water is food for other microorganisms and when they find it, they eat it.

That is the hopeful thing i have heard.

It’s been three weeks I am hoping my dwarf Sagittarius doesn’t die in the meantime

Edited February 21, 2022 by Linda4fish

[Torrey]

On 2/20/2022 at 9:56 PM, Linda4fish said:

That is the hopeful thing i have heard.

It’s been three weeks I am hoping my dwarf Sagittarius doesn’t die in the meantime

None of my plants died due to green water. 

In fact, a few of them seem to have taken off, growth wise.

[Linda4fish]

Ive been waiting it out probably almost a month now and the sick peas soup is thinning!!!!! 
no action taken!

thank you Gardenman!!🥰

 

Edited February 24, 2022 by Linda4fish