Common Problems with Tank Maintenance
There are several problems which commonly arise in aquariums and they can be treated in a variety of ways. Where possible, it is always best to avoid using chemical products, and always remember that fish are sensitive to changes in their environment, so anything you do must be done gradually and with great care. Here are some tips for dealing with common maintenance problems.
Algae:
When you set up a new tank, you will expect it to cycle after a couple of months. During this cycle you are likely to have a sudden influx of green algae, which can literally cover everything in your tank and turn the water green. It may also cause a pond-like smell, which is a sure sign of bad water quality. However, these problems can be put right. In any type of tank, controlling algae comes down to keeping a balance. Algae is a plant, and requires four staple elements to grow; light, nitrogen, phosphate and potassium. This doesn't mean you can't have a planted tank without algae. Algae will feed on any excess nutrients in the tank, so having a planted tank with some taller stems to cut out light reaching the substrate will help to stunt or prevent algal growth. Incorporating fast-growing plants will help to achieve this.
Using the right lighting will also help to starve the algae. It will absorb almost any form of light, but primarily blue and red. Using full spectrum lighting will be best for your plants but will not do much for the algae. Speak to someone in your local store if you think you want to change the lighting, and they will be able to advise you on the best method.
Make sure your fish are only getting as much food as they need. Excess food in the tank is food for algae, and will increase the nitrate content of your tank, which is very bad for your fish. Regular water changes of about 10% per week will help to maintain your water quality. When you feed your fish, put the flake on the surface and let it sink naturally, that way it's easier to control how much your fish eat. They should be able to eat what you give them within a few minutes.
Adding carbon dioxide can greatly benefit plant growth, thus reducing the elements available for the algae. This is a much better method than adding fertilizer, as this will also feed the algae. Adding carbon dioxide will not harm your fish.
Light Deprivation can also help to kill or reduce algae. After doing some research, I tested this method and it worked very well. There are two ways of doing it; Firstly, you can shut off the lights for about 3 hours in the afternoon. On a basis of 2-4 watts of full spectrum light for 12 hours a day, you should turn your light off about 5 hours in, so when it comes back on your fish have the same amount of light again before nightfall. Alternatively, if your algae problem is more severe, a complete blackout for three days will almost certainly work. Don't feed your fish during this time - they'll be fine for a few days.
Water changes are always beneficial for your tank, provided you only change a small percentage at a time, to maintain the balance and prevent stress for your fish. When you prepare the water (aerate it for about 24 hours first), make sure the temperature is the same as the water in your tank. It's usual to change 10-20% per week, or as necessary.
Cloudy Water:
Cloudy water can be caused by many things. Initially when you set up your tank, it will go through a cycle, as the biological elements of the filter prepare for handling the fish waste. It's quite common that as the cycle progresses, your tank water may become murky or cloudy. This will resolve itself, you just have to be patient! At this stage there is really nothing else you can do.
Regular water changes will help to replace the old cloudy water. A twice-weekly 10% water change will help. Adding chemicals to your new water is not advisable as it often just makes the problem worse.
Equipment and decorative additions can cause problems in your tank. For example, if you add driftwood to your aquarium, it is likely that it will leech brown or yellow into your tank, and possibly make the water cloudy. You can get around this by buying sandblasted driftwood, which is unlikely to affect your tank water. Ensuring that the substrate is properly rinsed before being added to the tank will also help. If your equipment is not properly cleaned during maintenance, you may also find that you are adding waste back into the aquarium. The sponges in your filtration ought to collect most of the waste suspended in the water. When you add decorations to your aquarium, make sure they are suitable for a tank. Some plastics and glues are potentially harmful to your livestock. I would advise you only add decorations that are approved by an aquatic specialist.
Removing dead foliage and fish will prevent water clouding and keep your tank healthy.
Make sure you don't overfeed your fish. Excess food feeds algae and raises the nitrate levels in your tank.
Don't overstock your tank. Too many fish can cause the filter to become overloaded, and harmful chemicals can build up. This is likely to cause water clouding, and is a sign of an unhealthy tank. Your fish need space to move, so choosing fish that use all levels of your tank can ensure a happy tank with plenty of fish to look at. A good guideline for stocking your tank is to keep the population at 1" of fish per gallon of water. This should prevent excess algal growth and cloudy water.
Follow this link to my article on keeping your tank at the right temperature in the summer
