Old Tank Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Cures and More

Some aquarium owners consider that their aquarium is a one-time investment, but after a few months, some change in it becomes mandatory. It is not that the tank is not clean or there is an excessive algae problem, but, due to the unhygienic condition of the aquarium itself, the chemistry of water will be changed. As a result, fishes will not be healthy enough.

How to Know Your Aquarium Has Old Aquarium Syndrome

Here are the general symptoms of old aquarium syndrome:

•          Excessive nitrate and phosphate level even after cleaning and water changing

•          The hardness of water is not according to the guidelines even after making the adjustments

•         pH level will fall to acidic

•         Carbonate level will also vary right after one or two days of making the adjustments

•          Any new fish will die

Remember, you can change the water frequently or clean it once a week to reduce nitrate or phosphate, which will ultimately give stress to the fishes. Opt for partial cleaning to reduce this stress.

Causes of Old Aquarium Syndrome

According to the name, it is very clear that the aquarium is not a healthy place for the fishes any more as it has incurable problems. The aquariums are like the houses, and as old houses become unhygienic due to improper maintenance, the aquariums too become unhygienic for the fishes.

Another cause of old aquarium syndrome is the lack of cleaning. The uneaten food particles and fish wastes may be stuck to the bottom of the aquarium. As a result, the water you are pouring every time is getting unhealthy. Actually, every time you skip the cleaning, it gets more and more difficult for you the clean the dirt because it stuck in the gravels as well as to the bottom of the aquarium.

Owners may be negligent as they have already fitted a filter in their aquarium. This reason is very common for not cleaning the aquariums. Filter indeed cleans but filter does not necessarily clean the chemicals like nitrate or phosphate which directly mix up in the water and pollutes the water. That results in the trouble of the fishes.

Well, all this do not happen in a day, and the fish get enough time to cope up with the changes in the aquarium. That’s why they survive, but a new fish will not be able to cope up with this and die soon.

Cures of This Syndrome

As it is recommended not to make any extreme changes at once, slow changes will help to cure this old aquarium syndrome too. Go for partial water changing and change 10% to 15% water every day. Every time you do partial water changing, make sure you test the water for nitrate level, phosphate level, and pH balance. Alternatively, you can go for stabilizing to make visible changes. This testing is very necessary to know whether the adjustments you are making are giving any positive result or not.

Things to Follow To Stop This Syndrome from Coming Back

It will not be wrong, to sum up, that old tank syndrome is a result of human negligence, and we can actually prevent this syndrome by being more careful. Sounds weird? Maybe, but, it is a fact that you can prevent this by scheduled cleaning and testing. Partial water change needs to be done each week to prevent a major problem. Fitting the filter will not solve these problems. You can try manual cleaning as well to stop this syndrome from coming back.

Keep a record of the testing so that you can understand the small changes. It will allow you to take preventive measures without wasting any time. Testing is given more importance here because you may not observe the minor differences, which testing will show.

A quick guide to get rid of green hair algae in saltwater aquarium

Green hair algae are almost synonymous to a mess for the saltwater aquarium owners. The greeny base in the saltwater aquarium is sometimes life-threatening to your fish, and once it starts growing, it soon captures most of your tank, and thereby it makes the aquarium uncomfortable and suffocating for the fishes.

Before knowing the methods of curing your aquarium of green hair algae, you need to know the suitable growth condition of green hair algae. Three factors promote the growth of green hair algae; these are light, nitrate, phosphate. Nitrate forms by any kinds of nitrogen waste, cheap sea salt, or polluted water. Phosphate is the end products of remaining particles of fish food, and it also comes from pH buffers and also from dead algae or fish. To control green hair algae, you need to have control over these sources which make a suitable condition for growth for these algae.

Once you see a green base in your saltwater aquarium, you need to test nitrate and phosphate level in your aquarium. You will find different tools and kits to measure this. After you identify this, you can follow these methods:

Steps to reduce nitrate

Nitrate reduction is an important step when you are planning to get rid of green hair algae for a long term

Change Water

To reduce nitrate, the best option is to change the water. It will instantly clean the tank and speed up the reduction process. By doing this, you will be able to reduce the nitrate level only. Now, what about the source of nitrate?

Aquarium Cleaning

To destroy the sources of nitrates, you need to clean the aquarium on time. You can manually remove the green hair algae. Alternatively, you can go through the siphoning technique as well to get rid of green hair algae. Also, you can siphon the food particles and the fish wastes too.

Use of Nitrate removers

Presently, there are several options to get rid of nitrate; nitrate sponge is one of these options. In addition to this, you can use di-nitrate solutions as well. Along with these, Poly Filter Pads and Acurel Nitrate Reducing Pads are giving intense satisfaction to the owners right now. You can use any of these according to your budget, and you can be sure about the results.  

Mangrove plants

If you want long term results, you can add some mangrove plants in your saltwater tank. It is a natural method of nitrate control in any aquarium.

Keep in mind that proper maintenance is the secret of nitrate reduction in a saltwater tank.

Steps to reduce phosphate

Nitrate reduction will not be enough to get rid of green hair algae; you need to reduce phosphate as well.

Changing Water

Phosphate can come in the aquarium if you continue to use tap water in your aquarium. It comes from any kinds of dirt. You can temporarily get rid of the problem by changing the water, but phosphate level will continue to grow again until you change the source of water. It means if you keep using tap water, you can probably see a higher level of phosphate.

Use of pure water

Here, you are advised to use the RO/DI water. It will control the level of phosphate in your aquarium.

Phosphate removers

In the market, there are various products available to reduce the phosphate level like Phos-guard, Phos-ban. You can select any of these according to your budget.

Mangrove plants

The mangrove plants which are commonly used as nitrate remover can also be used here as well. These mangrove plants will be placed in the forms of seed which will protect the base of your aquarium.

Additionally, you can try the vodka method that has recently come in the limelight and appeared to be a successful method to reduce nitrate and phosphate level and produce a green hair algae free aquarium. To try this method you need to be very particular about the measurement because a slight mismatch can lead to a negative result.