Green Saltwater!HELP!

[brentA]

Alright, I am not an expert by any means.

I have a 90g reef tank that has become a cloudy green pool. The fish are just as active as they were when it was crystal clear(for a year- it is a young tank). I tested the water for high nitrate, nitrite, salinity, and pH but they all turned up the norm. I took a sample to the local shop- Pat Palace- and they turned up the same with an additional test for phosphate. What is going on? I have done several normal water changes( 10 gallons) and one huge water change of about 70 gallons with an intense cleaning of the sump area. What could be my issue? My softies are wilting and my bubble tip anemones will be next. Please someone know what is going on!

 

[Bradly88]

Im having the same problem! My water is completely green but its a greenish brown/ murky color! I have added a small HOB Filter with carbon to see if that will clear it up..however two days of running the HOB filter has not improved conditions! All my parameters are normal and my corals are behaving normally!

 

[brentA]

Bradley88;

I posted this in the chemistry forum as well and had a couple of people respond saying that a UV sterilizer will eliminate the coloring in a couple of days. I think I am going to implement one in my system.

 

[Bradly88]

im gonna see how the carbon does for now and if it doesnt improves things im gonna add a UV!

 

[TheFishGuyLLC]

Carbon will likely do very little for your situation. It may even cause more problems if the carbon is not sourced carefully. See my post in the Chem forum.

 

[ReefTECK]

Carbon and UV will probably help.

Phos is not elevated? You know, I think sometimes nitrates and phosphates are elevated, but with rampant algae blooms, they become immeasurable because they are bound within the bio mass, so don't always trust your water parameters.

Furthermore, using cheap carbon (made from bone source) can contain additional phosphate that will fuel the growth. I would use some type of phosphate removing media also in the meantime.

Good luck,
Andy