Weird Feathery stuff

[Blucat]

Hi,
I have noticed these many small white feathery thingos clinging to the glass of my tank. My pleco just died. whhat are the white feathery things and how to get rid of? The picture shows just what one white feathery thingo looks like.

 

[Meredith]

Are they teeny tiny? I have seen lots of these things on my glass, and unless I look very very closely, they just look like water spots you would see on a glass or something. If it is that, I can tell you that its nothing to worry about. I don't know exactly what it is, but if it bugs you, you can just wipe it off. If you look closely at any plants or decor you have in the tank they will probably be on there too.

 

[Meredith]

check this out

http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/featuredmicroscopist/vanegmond/licmophorasmall.html

After more research, I am convinced these little things are diatoms.."Diatoms are microscopic unicellular organisms, living solitarily or in colonies. Those diatoms that do form colonies have diverse shapes and often form linear or fan-shaped colonies."

 

[Menagerie]

Hydra. What are the water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, and more importantly nitrate)?

 

[Blucat]

Are u sure its hydra? I no that theres is no ammonia but i havn't be able to get my hands on a nitrite or nitrate test yet.

 

[Menagerie]

Well, that's how my students have drawn it. In any event, I'm guessing the nitrate levels are elevated. There is excess nutrients and you are seeing these lovely "white feathery thingos." Cut down on the feedings and increase the PWCs.

 

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

My first guess was hydra aswell.

http://www.fishpondinfo.com/micro.htm

 

[Blucat]

I guess that this is the nitrogen spike part of cycliing. I should put some fish in after the cycling. I've also noticed tiny tiny dust particle sized white tadpole-ish bugs darting through the water, on the glass and floating in t he current. What is this? How can i kill both hydra and these bugs without harming the baccteria ccolony? Currently there is no fish.

 

[Blucat]

Could the bugs be daphnia?

 

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

Daphnia are free swimming water fleas, and they are shelled critters... (and fish eat them)