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Green Water and the Planted Aquarium

By: Scott Dahlgren

Green Water in a Planted Tank


First, Don't Panic


Green water is a sure sign of a healthy population of Volvox, small floating colonies of green algae. Volvox transmit green light and scatter white light. So, you may notice hazy white water before you get pea soup. Although your aquarium looks terrible, everything is ok. Volvox are an important part of the planted aquarium. The problem isn't that Volvox is doing so well, the problem is why aren't your plants doing so well.

There are a million different methods of fighting green water. The best method is healthy plants. You may want to remove the bulk of the Volvox in the aquarium by UV sterilization, filter floss, special polymers, diatom filter, or even a refugium. But don't rely on any, except the refugium, to keep your water clear. An outbreak of green water is almost a blessing. If Volvox doesn't bloom today, then something else may bloom tomorrow. Other algae are not as friendly. Think of green water as a second line of defense, and your plants as the first line of defense.

The most likely cause of Volvox blooms in a planted aquarium is a lack of potassium or nitrogen in the water column. Also, if there is an abundance of nutrients, far more than the plants can metabolize, then Volvox may also bloom. So, you can reduce your light cycle, cover your aquarium with a dark cloth, sterilize your water, micron filter the water, ozonate the water, or whatever you chose. However, I believe the best method is finding a plant or two to take care of the problem, and then you just have to take care of the plants. Easier said than done, but worth a shot.

Atlanta Aquascapes

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