Aquarium turning green, what to do?

Aquarium turning green: what to do?

You don't know how it happened, but the water in your aquarium turned green? An aquarium that turns green is never very pleasant to see. Fortunately, we are going to explore the reasons that explain it and cite effective solutions to find almost translucent water in just a few days.

How do I explain that my aquarium is turning green?

See that green or yellowish cloud in your aquarium that gets thicker and thicker as the days go by? Well, it's actually made up of millions of little bits of algae called phytoplankton. It is the most common type of algae found in aquariums, garden ponds and natural environments. Phytoplankton are tiny. In fact, you can't see it with the naked eye. To see phytoplankton individually, you need a microscope…

It's when these phytoplankton gather in a large group that you first notice them in your aquarium. When they are few, these phytoplanktons give your aquarium a slight light green color that is not very disturbing.

But as they multiply, they transform the color of the water in your aquarium and cloud it... And if you do nothing, you risk not seeing anything as the algae will have obscured the landscape.

Is green or yellowish aquarium water dangerous for your fish and plant species?

Generally speaking, no. Green water in an aquarium is not considered dangerous for fish. In fact, many fish happily live in green-colored water in their natural environment.

The same goes for plant species. Although green algae feed on the same nutrients as your plants, they shouldn't cause any direct harm. That said, a green aquarium is not very aesthetically pleasing and makes your aquarium look dirty. So even if you maintain your aquarium once a week and this happens, don't worry. Here are 3 techniques to go from a green aquarium to translucent water!

How to switch from a green aquarium to an aquarium with transparent water?

1. UV sterilizer

Here is an extremely effective tool to get rid of that ugly green tint that colors your aquarium. Not only is a UV sterilizer safe for fish and plants, it requires no effort on your part. Just turn it on and forget about it.

But how does it work ? As water passes through the sterilizer, it is exposed to UV light. This light kills all microscopic organisms that float in the water, such as bacteria and phytoplankton.

In just a few days, the phytoplankton responsible for the green color of your aquarium water will begin to evaporate. The result ? Clear aquarium water.

Who would have thought that light could be such an effective treatment?

2. Polishing pad

The phytoplankton that turns your water green is so small that your filter is unable to retain it.

Fortunately, there is a way to make your filter even more efficient. All you need is a polishing pad. Indeed, it is able to filter the smallest particles from the water in your aquarium, leaving you with crystal clear water.

Of course, remember to replace the polishing pad regularly, as it traps and removes phytoplankton from your aquarium. Thus, it is essential to always have a spare on hand to replace it when it becomes clogged.

3. Daphnia (water fleas)

Wouldn't it be great if someone else could get rid of the green water for you? If you agree, then get daphnia. These tiny creatures happily eat the phytoplankton that makes your aquarium green. Buy them live online or at your local store (garden center). A hundred daphnia can quickly swallow all the green water in the aquarium. It is natural, inexpensive and effective.

Your fish will also thank you for adding daphnia to your aquarium. Many fish, such as bettas and tetras, love to nibble on daphnia!

Conclusion: say goodbye to your green aquarium!

Did you know that some people want to keep water green? In garden ponds, for example, some owners keep green algae because it shades fish and is a food source for zooplankton.

For others, green water is an undesirable thing that prevents us from admiring our fish and makes us uncomfortable when guests come to observe our aquarium... So don't wait another minute to make your green water disappear !

And for more advice on maintaining your beautiful aquarium, consider taking a look at our blog. You will find a multitude of specialized articles that may be of interest to you.