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tonysdiscus

In Memoriam
MY TANK HAS THIS GREEN FILM THAT KEEPS ON COVERING THE GLASS EVERYDAY AFTER THE LIGHTS ARE RUNNING FOR A FEW HOURS.CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME FIGURE OUT WHAT THE HELL THIS IS.THANKS TONY
...PS ITS LIKE A LIME GREEN
 
no i am currently useing the tap water and adding prime to it.and as far as phosphate no i haven't check it. if it is bad how can i lower it?
 
Does your tank by any chance get direct sunlight? That can escalate algae growth, but it's probably a water quality issue as Don said. Using tap water often leads to algae breakouts. Phosphates, etc. in tap water feed the algae, which grows during photosynthesis aided by lighting. Have a phosphate test done by your LFS...many do it at no charge.
 
I had the same problem in my 55 before I got a RO/DI and algae hasn't been a problem since, Aquatic Eco Systems had a small 55 gallon per day RO/DI for sale cheap when I was up there last time, I'd give them a call and ask before I drove up first
 
Oh..I did'nt see there was a second post. Tapwater is the culprit. The average TDS of tapwater in & around Orlando is over 300. It is full of phosphates, silicates, heavy metals, etc. Things that an RO/DI would take out. As long as you use tapwater you will have problems. The best way to fix the problem is start using RO/DI water, run a phophate remover...Purapads are great, they take out all kinds of nasties. Back off on feeding. How many fish & how much clean up crew do you have?
 
Until you can get a RO/DI, buy distilled water instead of using tap water. Make sure you check the label tho, there are some places selling distilled water but its really just filtered not reverse osmosis.
 
Thank you Carole...the first person I've seen to mention heavy metals...Tap water contains high(relatively) mineral concentration that can help feed the plants. Obviously, the phosphates in H2O are not to scoff at either.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9604973#post9604973 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cschweitzer
Thank you Carole...the first person I've seen to mention heavy metals...Tap water contains high(relatively) mineral concentration that can help feed the plants. Obviously, the phosphates in H2O are not to scoff at either.
You are welcome.;) I hope you get your tank back in line Tony. It's not the worst thing you could have...it's actually a healthy sign.....in a way. Just not when it is so much every day. It is the first thing that you see in most tanks right after cycling, then diatoms, then it gives way to the green film algae. It is also why I asked about phytoplankton...when you use too much you can get some mad glass blooms like that..but again it's because of the fertilizer they use to make it. Too much nutrients and you are going to get algae..bottom line. A good four stage RO/DI will have a flush kit, and an inline TDS meter. You should be able to find one for around $200, give or take. When you get one, and get it going...do a real hefty water change with the new water...like 50%. Just make sure the SG., temp, and PH of the water is the same as the tank. Airating the new water for 24 hours with a heater, powerhead, & the salt mix is best.:)
 
ok thanks i will do that.i finallt got the salt mix down to a science after loosing so many fish to a bad hydrometer.i will keep you posted.once again thank you
 
I do get film algae but only every few days do i need to magfloat it off (did i just use magfloat as a verb?) .. But I also use phyto to feed my refugium and my clam probably loves it too :)

But yeah tap water.. eesh.. I know there are people who can control and manage their tanks with tap, but more often than not you hear about problems because of it.. Good luck and let us know what the outcome of your changes ends up being :)
 
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