Hi guys, I'm new to the forum and I hope someone could help me. I have a 16gal fresh tank with few neons, few guppies and 2 swords. Ever since I had the tank set up, water was never pure clear. I had try using different products to clear it up but it all doesn't seem to work.
Also, I notice green algae growing at the bottom of the tank. Could neone help me out??? What are some possible ways that i can fix this problem???

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!

1. Do you have lots of plants in your tank?
2. Usually it's better to reduce the causes of algae in the first place;
too much uneaten food, dead fish, direct sunlight, plants grow too slow, filter too clean: not enough "good" bacterias in filter, etc.
3. Never too late to add algae eaters...
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yes. is the tank explore under the sun? or are you switch on the light for 24 hours?

if yes, reduce the photoperiod. and do weekly 40-50% water change. dont over feed the fishes.

Yeah, thanks for all the tips, i do have algae eaters in there already....
the tank is not under direct sunlight, but i sure will reduce the amount of light!

another question, since i have a curve tank, therefore i couldn't buy a right size undergravel filter....
so will adding a underwater filter do ne good?

thankz again!!!!!!!!!! =P

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7 neons, 6 platties, 2 swords,

undergravel filter is good. but the problem is when the time you take out and wash. you will disturb the gravel and the bacteri growing inside the gravel.

then will make the water cloudy like crazy. if you are having the tank as planted tank. it is not recommended.

max the photoperiod for a planted tank is 10 hours. and also depends on what plants you having. some plants do need min light.

what if i dun have ne plants in my tank???

and undergravel filter doesn't fit????

thanks again..........

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7 neons, 6 platties, 2 swords,

ok. then how's about the gravel?you gonna take out all the gravel when you wanna wash the filter!

Hi Pheephee

You mentioned that your tank is a curved one but undergravel filters need not conform to shape of tank. So long as you have approx 70% of yr tank covered should be fine. If you want to be more meticulous, there are loose pieces which you can buy and cut to yr specifications. Plastic pieces don't cost very much anyway.

Since you don't keep any plants, this method combined with yr existing filtration will be excellent in keeping yr water clean and clear. However, if u use the UGF, you'll need to put in small 2-4mm gravel (river sand) 2-3 inches to have an effective bacteria colony. Just remember to clean the gravel (vacumming) once a month (depending on yr stocking level and amount of food u feed). You don't have to strip the UGF unless there are blockages but with regular vacumming, this shouldn't be necessary.

A lot of people condemn the use of UGF, perhaps it's one of the oldest methods of filtration, and fr negative feedback of inexperienced hobbyist. More often than not, these people have never had experience with UGF firsthand!

I've got a 2' tank with UGF and a top filter which gives excellent combi in terms of biological and mechanical filtration. Even after 3 wks of use, and feeding with pellets for my polypterus and clown loaches (usually clouds yr water) my water is still crystal clear. Of course, I use activated carbon. I shall be upgrading to the 4' soon and guess what? I'm still going to maintain the UGF except will prob add another submersible motor on the other end for optimum water flow. This is the level of confidence I have with UGFs!

Apart from that, common sense works a long way; would the aquarium manufacturers continue to produce UGF if they were a failure?

Hey Pauline n others, thanks for the tips and the DETAILED info on UGF....
i shall try to buy the plastic UGF and cut it to my tank size if i can't find a smaller one that will fit my tank!!!

UGF works with an air pump...? is that correct???

i'll try this n see how it works out!!!!

THANXX again! =D

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7 neons, 6 platties, 2 swords,

You can do a number of things.
(1) Get an aquarium skrubber and skrub the inside of your tank.
(2) Do a few water changes a week.
(3) Do a good gravel vacume.
(4) If you feed twice a day change it to once.
(5) Get some live plants.
(6) Keep the light on for a maximum of 12 hours a day. (nothing more, if anything less then that.)

!!!Hope This Helps!!! Good Luck!!!