AboutNathan Expertise I can answer all questions related to freshwater aquariums. If I am not available because I am maxed out, you can find me on the Aquarium Plants category. Fish care, fish behavior, feeding, breeding, and diseases are my specialty. To be specific, I am most familiar (though I am familiar with most species) with Livebearers, Tetras, Barbs, Danios, Loaches, Goldfish, Angelfish (freshwater), Catfish (corydoras, plecos, etc.), Bettas, shrimp, and even snails. I can help out with new tank setups, the cycling process (nitrogen cycle), acclimation of fish, and general care. I can also answer questions regarding many species of freshwater plants, including fish compatibility with plants. Additionally, I can lend a hand when it comes to aquarium support equipment questions, such as those regarding filters, heaters, lighting, and thermometers. Questions about aquarium water conditioners and products are also accepted. I will try to answer your question to the best of my abilities, and if I do not know an answer, I will do my best to find out.
I do not have much experience in saltwater aquariums, or pressurized CO2 systems, so I cannot answer any such questions. Best wishes, and good luck to your fish!
Experience I have kept freshwater fish tanks for many years, and I am experienced with a variety of different freshwater species and invertebrates, such as Tetras, Barbs, Loaches, Danios, Livebearers, Cichlids, Goldfish, Bettas, Catfish, Shrimp, and Snails. I have helped people set up aquariums, and I am very familiar with aquarium products and equipment. I have also bred many fish, and I always care for my fish in the best way possible.
What makes a good home for tropical fish? Well, all tropical fish, like guppies and Bettas, require filters, heaters, and a good-sized tank. Healthy fish should be actively swimming and feeding, with defined fins and clear eyes. Take a random check of some of your fish daily, to make sure they're thriving!
Education/Credentials I own an extensive collection of aquarium-related books and magazines, and have read all about, and I am experienced in, many aspects of humane and proper fishkeeping. Through these books and other articles, from reliable internet sources, and from personal experience with fish, I have a thorough knowledge of freshwater aquariums, fish, and freshwater plant species.
Question I have a 55 gallon aquarium where I house my tiger oscar. The oscar is about 3.5 to 4 inches long. It gets feed a small amount of food once a day and the tank is vacuumed along with a 25 per cent water change once a week. This tank behaved just fine for about 6 months. Last October my family and I moved, and so the tank was hit with a new municipality's water, but even that seemed to have no ill effects for about two months. Now to the problem. For the time until last Christmas the oscar had a large pleco for a tank mate. Over Christmas, while we were gone visiting family for a week we lost power for about 2 days. The oscar was fine but the pleco didn't make it. How long the dead pleco was there I'm not sure, but it was too large for the oscar to consume any of it. At any rate as soon as possible the dead pleco was removed and a water change (about 50 per cent) was done with gravel cleaning. Soon after the water went green. Very green. We have tried moving the aquarium to a less sunny part of our house (it now gets no sunlight), we have tried covering the tank with garbage bags for up to five days at a time and we have tried the products P clear and B clear. Nothing has worked at all except the last two chemical products. However, after a couple days of clear water it goes right back to green again. And we are talking liquified Incredible Hulk here. As of right now if my oscar is at the back of the tank (its a long tank, only about a foot thick) I cannot see it. Not even a shadow of it. What should I do. I've talked to five different pet stores and have gotten five different solutions, none of which have worked. I'm exacerbated here. Please help!
Answer Hi Clinton,
Green Algae water is caused by too much nutrients in the water. Try doing some 20% water changes daily. This will remove most of the nutrients that algae need to grow. There's a possibility that your tap water has too many nutrients (nitrates, phosphates).
You might want to purchase one of those small at-the-tap filtration units that hook up directly to the faucet. These little things are available at any grocery/supermarket, as well as hardware stores. They can filter out impurities in the tap water.
If that does not work, get a phosphate removing agent. This can come in the form of a filter insert, like Hagen's GreenX, or a chemical to put in the water. The phosphate remover combined with partial water changes will effectively 'starve' the algae of all nutrients.
One last option would be to get live plants. If you do not have plants, this would be a good opportunity to get them. Plants will compete with algae for nutrients and light - I've never experienced green water/algae in tanks with plants! Choose nice, sturdy and hardy plants that can stand up to your curious Oscar.
You've tried a lot of things, and I believe that the problem may lie in your water. If you can... maybe get another Pleco or other algae water, since this seemed to keep your algae in check.
