lutz123 November 25, 2013 November 25, 2013 Have you had an Oscar before? I mean that honestly, not trying to be rude at all. A 3 1/2 inch Oscar in. 10 gallon is fine for very, very short term. They grow extremely quickly and are very messy. Expect an average growth of an inch a month until 8 or 9 inches - more if it's well fed. The sterilizer is a great solution, but you could also solve your issue by moving it to a much bigger tank immediately. The 46 gallon may get you through another 6 months, but I would expect 4 is more likely, especially with another couple of fish in there (that both also get large). Also increase the filtration capacity and check the filter media more often. Your current lighting is definitely alot of light for freshwater. Nice, but it won't help the algae problem. I know it's frustrating - those algae blooms set in quickly. Oscars are a fun fish to have with great personalities!
bendeng November 25, 2013 Author November 25, 2013 Have you had an Oscar before? I mean that honestly, not trying to be rude at all. A 3 1/2 inch Oscar in. 10 gallon is fine for very, very short term. They grow extremely quickly and are very messy. Expect an average growth of an inch a month until 8 or 9 inches - more if it's well fed. The sterilizer is a great solution, but you could also solve your issue by moving it to a much bigger tank immediately. The 46 gallon may get you through another 6 months, but I would expect 4 is more likely, especially with another couple of fish in there (that both also get large). Also increase the filtration capacity and check the filter media more often. Your current lighting is definitely alot of light for freshwater. Nice, but it won't help the algae problem. I know it's frustrating - those algae blooms set in quickly. Oscars are a fun fish to have with great personalities! No worries. This is indeed my first Oscar. I knew the 10g wouldn't last long and I knew I'd be headed towards at least a 40g tank soon (I couldn't help the purchase of him, terrible I know) and I am saving up for a 100g+ by spring time. I know Oscars have unique personalities which is why I got him. I originally had a crayfish and a figure8 puffer. Which had awesome personalities. I am definitely well aware of the larger tank needs which is why I jumped on this deal for the 40b even tho I know Duke was getting ready to give me his old 46g soon. I think you're right about the intense lights. I bought it for my soon to be saltwater tank and decided to test it out. Well I love the light but its definitely too much for my two cichlids. I will be switching back to my ikea LEDs which were much less intense for the small tank. I've kind of just back off of the 10g for now. I think me digging around the tank too much is just making matters worse. I've turned the light off. Let the slight glow of natural light illuminate it during the day and my room light is enough for a few hours at night. I just feed twice a day and hoping to let all the added carbon do its job. Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
ridetheducati November 25, 2013 November 25, 2013 I think you're right about the intense lights. I bought it for my soon to be saltwater tank and decided to test it out. Well I love the light but its definitely too much for my two cichlids. I will be switching back to my ikea LEDs which were much less intense for the small tank. I thought the sun was coming through the window.
bendeng November 27, 2013 Author November 27, 2013 Update! I bought a 9w UV Sterilizer. Just installed it. Fingers crossed!! Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
davelin315 November 27, 2013 November 27, 2013 Update! I bought a 9w UV Sterilizer. Just installed it. Fingers crossed!!Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk You are not solving the problem, however, only treating a symptom. The real problem is the over abundance of nutrients fueling the algae bloom. I have had green water in the past and reducing bio load has always helped, at least for me. Once the system is in balance, the algae won't outcompete the biological filter. In fact, I think tht killing the algae n the water my actually add more nutrients back into the water itself. I would do a complete water change and toss the sterilizer on after when the water s clear. This should allow you to eliminate it rather quickly versus battling. That said - bigger tank! Just because it clears up doesn't resolve the underlying issue! By the way, every time I type algae this stupid iPad turns it into LAGER! Wish I had the same ability myself - I'd be the best superhero ever - Lager Man...
bendeng November 27, 2013 Author November 27, 2013 You are not solving the problem, however, only treating a symptom. The real problem is the over abundance of nutrients fueling the algae bloom. I have had green water in the past and reducing bio load has always helped, at least for me. Once the system is in balance, the algae won't outcompete the biological filter. In fact, I think tht killing the algae n the water my actually add more nutrients back into the water itself. I would do a complete water change and toss the sterilizer on after when the water s clear. This should allow you to eliminate it rather quickly versus battling. That said - bigger tank! Just because it clears up doesn't resolve the underlying issue! By the way, every time I type algae this stupid iPad turns it into LAGER! Wish I had the same ability myself - I'd be the best superhero ever - Lager Man... Lager Man may not be the hero Wamas needs. Its the hero Wamas wants. I am in process of setting up a 46g in the living room I got a nice Fluval 305 but I need a few replacement parts to get it running. Hoping by the end of next week I will have it running... Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
nova423 December 3, 2013 December 3, 2013 Thanks everyone! I may have to invest in a UV sterilizer soon. Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk UV is def your best bet. And a big water change.
bendeng December 3, 2013 Author December 3, 2013 UV is def your best bet. And a big water change. I did a 100% water change... and added the uh. Water has been crystal clear! Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2
nova423 December 3, 2013 December 3, 2013 Nice, I had that happen to one of my freshwater tanks I kept a severum in. I changed a bunch of water, added a cheap UV inline light, and problem solved. Glad you found a solution to yours!
sen5241b December 3, 2013 December 3, 2013 I had the same problem with a 20G long salt. Water was cloudy green. Put HOB filter rated for 40G tanks with carbon and floss. 48 hours later the tank was clear.
bendeng December 3, 2013 Author December 3, 2013 I had the same problem with a 20G long salt. Water was cloudy green. Put HOB filter rated for 40G tanks with carbon and floss. 48 hours later the tank was clear. I have a HOB filter rated for twice the size... added extra carbon and changed to fresh carbon and added carbon foam media too... a week later nothing. Til I did the huge water change and now the UV filter keeps it clean Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2
londonloco December 3, 2013 December 3, 2013 Very happy to hear the water cleared up. How long til the 46g will be ready for the Oscar. If you add seasoned filter media from the 10g to the 46g it will speed up the process......
bendeng December 3, 2013 Author December 3, 2013 Very happy to hear the water cleared up. How long til the 46g will be ready for the Oscar. If you add seasoned filter media from the 10g to the 46g it will speed up the process......Good idea! I ordered 50lbs of gravel... should be here by the end of the week. Hoping to have a wet/dry sump built by then.Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2
sen5241b December 4, 2013 December 4, 2013 I have a HOB filter rated for twice the size... added extra carbon and changed to fresh carbon and added carbon foam media too... a week later nothing. Til I did the huge water change and now the UV filter keeps it clean Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2 So my problem seemed to have been some kind of green algae bloom. It looked your problem from the pic was milky color. I just trying to understand what cuased your water to be cloudy to begin with? Diatoms?
bendeng December 4, 2013 Author December 4, 2013 So my problem seemed to have been some kind of green algae bloom. It looked your problem from the pic was milky color. I just trying to understand what cuased your water to be cloudy to begin with? Diatoms?If I backtrack enough, I believe the cause was me digging around my substrate and stirring too much detritus up... I thought I was doing good by vacuuming the substrate but it resulted in green milky water... Still not absolutely sure if that was the problem... the UV sterilizer is definitely helping by keeping whatever it was away... Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2
londonloco December 4, 2013 December 4, 2013 I second the thought it was from digging in the gravel too much. As I've stated, I stir up the substrate on all my tanks (but ADA amazon soil tanks, but they are heavily planted) weekly. If you don't do it from tank start, you have to do it slowly as to not have a bacteria/algae bloom. I know when I had dirted tanks with plants, whenever I did a major replant I would always get a bloom.
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