green water

[vaudeville]

Hey Gang
I am puiling my hair out on this one
My nephews have two tanks set up
Both are 10 gal
they sit side by side with the same equipment and have paper on the back to block the sun
One tank has two rams and a couple of coris and there is no problem
The other has 1M and 2F betttas and 3 coris
This tank has to be broken down every 2 weeks as the water turns green (think green tea)
There is no alge on the sides or rocks etc. and the fish dont seem to mind it just looks like crap
Any ideas??

[Regalblue]

My first thought is one is getting more food put in it.

[GrizzlysDad]

Sounds like it could be a phosphate issue. Like Blair said, the food could be part of the problem. Many foods are high in phosphate and if overfed can lead to a phosphate spike.

[Ron]

My first thought is one is getting more food put in it.

x2

[Marty]

I was thinking the same thing phospates/nitrates are probably sky high.  Also might depend on if the paper covering the back is translucent or not.

So here are a couple of ideas.  Modify the amount or type of food that is being used.

Next time you clean the tank, try this - Empty out all of the water from the green tank, and fill half the tank with water from the tank that isn't green and replace the rest with freshly dechlorinated water.

If that doesn't work, try buying a phosphate remover.

[Mastiffman]

OP, this might sounds stupid but are you using Activated carbon in both Tanks?