Mopani Growth ???

[ianant]

Hi guys, Recently purchased 4 Pieces of mopani root for my new tank, Have soaked and removed the Tanins from said wood but have developed a White slimey growth on two of the pieces. Removed them both and steamed the offending growth off both, returned one piece to the tank but within a day growth has returned. Please any ideas.

 

[yohann976]

It could be a fungus feeding off of the decaying wood.

 

[mfdrookie516]

I had a piece do the same thing... looked like snot or something... i just ended up throwing it out after doing everything in my power, including running through a dishwasher and taking a pressure washer to it, with no success... Im interested as to what it is and if there is some sort of cure for it as well... im following along here

 

[ianant]

Going to try baking the wood in an oven for an hour then re-soak to see if growth reapears, Hopefully this will kill off any unwanted fungal growths... will keep posted as to result.

 

[DragonFish71]

It's normal for wood to do that. I run our's through the dishwasher (without soap) Then soak it in water with dechlor and a fungus tab. Once in the tank it will still grow some of the white stuff so I just scrub it with a toothbrush (one that I got just for tanks) Most fish will nibble at it but it will eventually go away. It is harmless.

 

[ianant]

Hey Dragon, thanks for that ! was obviously concerned for the health of the fish as i've never encountered this before.

 

[DragonFish71]

ianant,

You're more than welcome. I freaked out the first time I saw it in our tanks. I talked to our LFS and did some online research. If you have things like corys, otos, plecos, mollies, platys etc, they will love it.

 

[ianant]

this is a newly set up tank (25g) and is only occupied by 1m/3f Guppies at the moment as well as being planted ! once i can work out how to resize pics i'll get some posted...

 

[WhiskeyD]

The white fuzzy stuff you are seeing is a fungus. Its perfectly safe for your fish and some fish even enjoy eating it. I have mopani in one of my tanks that also had the exact same growth. It went away in a little over a week in my tank.

 

[ianant]

Hi Whiskey and thanks, checked the wood today and as you say it has cleared so Panic (well not quite ) passed, All looking good now...

 

[Badger]

I had this happen when I put mine in. Cleared up in a couple days and didn't seem to harm anyone. Scared me to death, but I researched it and it seems to be fine. Darn wood took forever to get all the tannins out though...

 

[ianant]

lol. yeah know what ya mean, soaked mine for four weeks and still leaking !