We have a 55 gallon fish tank. We have 7 African (something, not even going to try to spell this) and one algee eater. We change the filters every two weeks, suck the dirty water out, add more water, and the chemicals.

I think we have had these fish for about 3 months. The water is always so clear after we do this. We were taught that it is a must to clean it this way every two weeks. So now we can not get the water clear anymore for some reason. It is always clowdy and a little light green. At our fish cove that we go to, they say we are cleaning it properly and using the right chemicals. So then why is it never clear anymore after doing this all the time? It is driving me crazy! BTW, they are fresh water fish if that matters.

Anyone ever had this problem? Now I am just wondering if we are doing something wrong now. Our fish are fine, but I hate the way the water looks.

Green water is a sign of WAY too much light! I'm betting you either A)have a window that is shining on the aquarium, B)Have the tank light on all day, or C)Both! Also something else that may help, how much water are you changing? Because you really only need to change 1/3 the water once a month. If you change too much, it can actually make it cloudy. Although that would be more of a milky haze, but it could still be contributing. Also stop changing the filter twice a month, once month will suffice. Anyway, I would say to remedy the situation: cover the window and/or stop putting the tank light on so much, put a towel or blanket over the tank for a few days, and do a water change (but no more then 1/3). After doing these things it should clear up. By the way, I'm betting those are African Cichlids you're talking about, right?

By the way, I've worked in 2 fish sections of pet stores, and was the head of one of them, so I know what I'm talking about :cool:

Green water is a sign of WAY too much light! I'm betting you either A)have a window that is shining on the aquarium, B)Have the tank light on all day, or C)Both! Also something else that may help, how much water are you changing? Because you really only need to change 1/3 the water once a month. If you change too much, it can actually make it cloudy. Although that would be more of a milky haze, but it could still be contributing. Also stop changing the filter twice a month, once month will suffice. Anyway, I would say to remedy the situation: cover the window and/or stop putting the tank light on so much, put a towel or blanket over the tank for a few days, and do a water change (but no more then 1/3). After doing these things it should clear up. By the way, I'm betting those are African Cichlids you're talking about, right?

By the way, I've worked in 2 fish sections of pet stores, and was the head of one of them, so I know what I'm talking about :cool:

OMG, that is probally true. It is away from the window though. I am the bad one about the lights. We keep them off during the day, but on at night. Now that it gets darker sooner, I have turned them on sooner. :doh: I did not even think about that till what you said. Yes, we only take a 1/3 out. I thought we had to change the filter every two weeks. That is what we were told. Yes, they are Cichlids. They are getting so big. They are so pretty.

It's a form of free floating algae. You could either use a diatom filter or do a blackout. I had the same problem x 100 in my 10 gallon while I was doing a fishless cycle. I blacked it out for four days and did 10% water changes each day. That didn't work, so I did a week blackout and that cured up the problem. Just be sure to do small water changes daily, or else you'll run into problems with ammonia. I just threw a heavy blanket overtop.

Fish do sleep or rest, so having light 24/7 really stresses them out. The most there should be light is 12 hours a day.

It's a form of free floating algae. You could either use a diatom filter or do a blackout. I had the same problem x 100 in my 10 gallon while I was doing a fishless cycle. I blacked it out for four days and did 10% water changes each day. That didn't work, so I did a week blackout and that cured up the problem. Just be sure to do small water changes daily, or else you'll run into problems with ammonia. I just threw a heavy blanket overtop.

Fish do sleep or rest, so having light 24/7 really stresses them out. The most there should be light is 12 hours a day.

Thanks, I am going to take both of your advices and do this. Yeah, I know it stresses them out with the light on. I do not think we have it on 12 hours a day though. I am going to do the blackout for awhile and see what happens. What is a diatom filter?

It is funny because the 10 gallon tank in our room is always so clear. Yeah, the light is off alot there.

I do a weekly water and filter cleaning in my 55, but I have a bit of a different situation, as I have goldfish. They are messier than Cichlids and put off a lot of ammonia into the water. So, if I don't clean my filter media at least once a week, the water clouds and the filters are coated in brown slime. Mmmm...fish slime! :lick: :lol:
Just wanted to add that when I moved into my current abode, I placed the aquarium under a window and I've definitely noticed that algae grows much more quickly there than in the location I had my tank in at my old apartment.

Good advice, bluegrrrl79 and Flurry! :)

Brandon, thanks. I was hoping that you would reply, because I remember reading something before that you posted about fish.

I am going to get on this tomorrow. This is the one time that I should have listened to my husband about the light thing. :lol:

Goettling, once you get that algae problem taken care of, why not share some pics of those Cichlids with us? I'd like to see them, I think Cichlids are pretty fish.

Goettling, once you get that algae problem taken care of, why not share some pics of those Cichlids with us? I'd like to see them, I think Cichlids are pretty fish.

Oh now, I have gone over this is so many threads about my pets. I can not post a pic for the life of me! I cannot even post my Border Collie that looks almost like Bjorns!

I will say that I named one of my bright orange ones a bitch.:lol: She thinks she owns the tank. But lately the others are getting back at her. :lol: We arrange it were they can have rocks and stuff so they will not be so territoral, which they are. I have 2 beautiful blue ones. I have a tiger one that is the biggest. I have a little cute runt that I love, almost looks black, but is turning blue. I had to take this guy home with me. He is the little guy in the tank and I always watch out for him. We have another orange and black one that is the coolest swimmer of all. He/she does the coolest moves. They swim backwards sometimes and sometimes in synch with each other.

It is funny how they have their favorite spots in the tank. If I can not see one, then I know were to look to find it. We have this vase that matches in the tank. I love to see them bop up and down in it. It is so cute.

Another idea is that you could get a light timer at your local cvs or where ever and have the lights go on for five hours and off for two and then back on for five. Unless you don't have live plants then it doesn't make a difference. I've been able to get rid of most algae with this method with out my plants suffering although now one of my tanks has slime algae and will have to be broken down and cleaned out any way. total pain. You guys are really good about cleaning your filters...i'm a bad girl.

I second the idea for a light timer, they're really inexpensive and then you pretty much never have to think about it unless the power goes off. All my iguana's stuff is on a timer so I don't have to worry about being home at 6 am/pm every day.

A couple of more expensive solutions would be to use a diatom filter or a UV filter. The diatom filter uses a very fine diatomaceous earth to trap the algae while a UV filter kills the algae by destroying it's DNA.


Here's a link on green algae: http://www.drhelm.com/aquarium/cloudy%20water.html

Thanks for the link, Flurry. Good info.We vaccum it out every two weeks. Maybe I should get one of those timers also.

I have a 55 gallon tank with goldfish and algae eater.I don't leave the light on a lot, I make sure the temp is right , not too warm, warmer water produces more algae in my experience, a right size filter -pump, and a bubble curtain......haven't had a problem yet.

Just wanted to say thanks for the advice. It is starting to clear up. Having the light off alot less has made a big difference.