green water

M

mgterry

I've been having problems with green water in my 20g for a while now. First it turns milky white, then green and stays that way for a while, despite water changes. Eventually it clears up, only to start the cycle over again. I can't figure out what's causing it.

Ph- 8.2
Amm- 0
Nitrates- 0
Phospates- 0

The tank has been running for about 6 months, all the corals seem healthy and happy. It does seem (probably coincidentally) that I have a higher than usual pod population just before this happens...

Any thoughts?
 
Ca- 500 (too high, I know. I've been using Oceanic salt.)
I've never dosed anything in this tank.
No macro.

My rock anemone has decided to go wandering. That is the only thing out of the ordinary with the livestock. No fish in the tank.
 
So is this after a water change when it goes milky white, I wonder if the Ca is spiking and causing precipitation. Have you tested Ca when the tank is milky.
 
@BigMonkeyBoy wrote:
Get this product http://www.algone.com/ should take care of it for you after a few weeks of treatment said:
>>>and what would she be taking care of :?: ...you have diagnosed the issue, please share your findings. I think it would be a bit wiser to diagnose the problem first before you try to "fix" it. There is a reason for what's going on in their tank and it would benefit all by having the experienced folks help pinpoint the problem. To me it sends a bad message to new reefers by saying...hey dump this chemical in and all your problems will be "algone". A little chemical help should be utilized after the problem is understood and all natural methods have been used. Just my opinion!
Click to expand...
 
I don't think it's right after a water change, but I do water changes once a week. (twice a week when the water turns green) The water turns milky for a day, then goes green for a while (last time it was several weeks, this time only about a week), then white for a day or two (it's white right now) and then back to clear. The calcium level I just gave you was taken today, with milky water.

I'm not running a skimmer on this tank. I was shopping for one when I decided to start the 75g, so I just skipped it and bought one for the 75. I'm almost ready to move everything into the 75 (low alk issues...) but I figure out what's causing this so that it doesn't happen in the new tank.

I don't have a TDS meter yet (its in the mail, hopefully) and have been buying RO water. Could the water quality be a problem? I also have an RO/DI unit on the way.
 
Ron if you read about the product you will see what it does and how it solves nitrates and ammonia problems. I guess I should have dived into greater detail here on the board but I decided to let her and everyone else read about the product rather then DIVE into a algae problem. I have attached a link for you and everyone else Ron http://www.algone.com/pdf/algone.pdf so please review it and you will see how this product sloves the known issues of poor water quality.

I have used this product and it works very well! :D

I assume your having a bad day and I will assume that was the reason behind the snippy reply.

Kind regards

Mark
 
The green color is due to algae in the water column...there are many that don't use a skimmer and are able to maintain a great looking tank. With good sand bed, LR and water movement(aeration) you should not have an issue. With your 75g setup with a sump/fuge and skimmer you will most likely not have the same issue. Have you changed your water source to see if it made a dufference, I know you have a RO/DI on the way which is great...no more lugging water and you know it's good. Your Alk is low in the 75G, make sure your Ca/Alk/Mg is balanced. Mg should be ~1300 or x3 of what your Ca is(not when it's high though) . Check this out to make your own 3 part stuff, it's easy to get your Alk up and if you need to bring your Magnesium up I have some extra mag-flake I could give ya. There are ways to clear the tank with a clarifier and cutting back on your light but to me that's just a band-aid
**edit** not sure about why it turms milky

Cheers!
 
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