Green Water

[p fish]

I have a hospital Tank (29g) that I keep copper in. Its been set up for about a year, all the water conditions are good. I put my new fish in there before putting them in my reef or FO tanks. The water turns green every other month and I have to do hugh water changes to get rid of it. Does anyone know what brings on the green water. The lights in this tank are only on about 8 hours a day and there is always a damsel in the tank and right now there is a purple tang in there.....

 

[grateful1]

UV sterilizer will kill the algae bloom

 

[beth]

Why are constantly using copper? Copper is only effective for a few parasites and it is toxic, so why use it unless it is necessary.

 

[superman]

could be algal growth or blooms.

 

[p fish]

If its alge bloom, what causes it and how do I stop it from always coming back. I have cut back on lights and I never over feed.

 

[fmarini]

HI:
As mentioned its an algae bloom. Remember plants need three things:
food, water, and light.
Your in water, you're providing light and you most likely are feeding thru excess nutrients, such as phos, nitrates, etc.
So to remedy this.... either cut back on the light, reduce the nutrients by reduced feeding or increase your nutrient export. Lastly you can add something which competes w/ the algae for food, such as another plant (like calurpa)
frank

 

[p fish]

thanks Frank