How do you Culture Green Water?

A

Andrew R

New member
I have Darwin Algae Eatng shrimp (Carinia. sp NT) or close to Amano shrimp and aparently they have a larval stage at which they need green water.
I currently have a tank filled with algae but the algae is clumped up in strands around the java moss in there or in corners, and i have algae growing on the sides of the tank. The water is clear and there is no free flaoting algae which is microscopic in the tank in large enough quantities to be visable as 'green water'.
How do you culture green water?
Is all algae the same, even if they grow in strands or on the sides of the tank?
 
Not all algae is the same. Green water isn't clumps or strands, it's single celled algae that floats in the water. It looks like pea soup if it's been around long enough.

I have it in 5 gallon buckets outside in the summer, but in the winter, I crush up some old leaves of aquatic plants and put them in a container with aquarium water [from a water change, the heavier the bioload in the tank, the better, this is the algae's fertilizer] , a snail or 2 and put that in bright light. In 1-2 weeks, green water!! You can also use lawn clippings, but only if you don't use chemicals on your lawn.
 
leave a tank by a window with a filter running in it this will stop the water getting stagnant and then when you want your culture just add a cup full at a time.
hope this helps
 
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