White stringy stuff in aquarium

[Luci]

Hi, I've had this freshwater tank for at least five years now and I don't remember anything happening like this before (or possibly I never took notice). About a month ago white stringy stuff started growing on the glass of the tank. We didn't do anything at first because we thought it would just go away, but now it is spreading to the fake plants (not the real ones). I am starting to worry because we have some baby fish in the tank as well as our 9 adults, and was wondering if this would be of any harm to them? First of all if anyone could just identify the stuff that would be great. And if anyone knows how to get rid of it that would be even better. Thanks so much!

 

[tarpon]

It sounds like a harmless fungus that grows from overfeeding and/or not enough circulation. Could you post a picture? And also, what is your feeding schedule like.

 

[Rivercats]

Agreed with above but also what is your WC schedule and how much do you change out when you do one? What size tank and what filter are you using?

 

[Luci]

We try to feed them regularly: a pinch of fish flakes in the morning and at night. If by WC you mean water changing schedule, we only add water once it has gone down four or so inches(is that bad?) Our filter is whisper 30 and the tank is 16 3/4 inch high, 24 inch long and 12 1/4 inch wide. Sorry I don't know the gallons I hope this is ok...

 

[Luci]

Agreed with above but also what is your WC schedule and how much do you change out when you do one? What size tank and what filter are you using?

We try to feed them regularly: a pinch of fish flakes in the morning and at night. If by WC you mean water changing schedule, we only add water once it has gone down four or so inches(is that bad?) Our filter is whisper 30 and the tank is 16 3/4 inch high, 24 inch long and 12 1/4 inch wide. Sorry I don't know the gallons I hope this is ok...

Sorry for repost I'm new to this an don't exactly know what I'm doing yet XD

 

[Rivercats]

So you only add water due to evaporation correct? Do you actually ever remove say 10 gallons weekly then add back 10 gallons of declorinated water? That is a water change. Oh and what size it the tank?

Something else I noticed in the picture... the plant in the 3rd picture, how long have you had that in the tank? It is not a fully aquatic plant and will eventually begin to decay and die. Unfortunely many fish stores/chain stores sell plants for aquariums that aren't fully aquatic.

 

[Luci]

So you only add water due to evaporation correct? Do you actually ever remove say 10 gallons weekly then add back 10 gallons of declorinated water? That is a water change. Oh and what size it the tank?

Something else I noticed in the picture... the plant in the 3rd picture, how long have you had that in the tank? It is not a fully aquatic plant and will eventually begin to decay and die. Unfortunely many fish stores/chain stores sell plants for aquariums that aren't fully aquatic.

It is correct that we only add water due to evaporation.
The tank is 16 3/4 inch high, 24 inch long and 12 1/4 inch wide. The plant in that third picture is fake... The pics were taken on my iPod which is why there is such bad quality...
Also, should we start changing the water?
Thanks so much!!

 

[Rivercats]

Yes you need to changed 50% of the water weekly using a gravel vac to clean the substrate at the same time. Since it hasn't been getting weekly WC's and gravel cleaning you might only be able to do 1/4 to 1/2 the tanks gravel at a time in order to give it a thorough cleaning. What type of filter do you have and how often do you clean it or change media in it?

 

[Luci]

Yes you need to changed 50% of the water weekly using a gravel vac to clean the substrate at the same time. Since it hasn't been getting weekly WC's and gravel cleaning you might only be able to do 1/4 to 1/2 the tanks gravel at a time in order to give it a thorough cleaning. What type of filter do you have and how often do you clean it or change media in it?

Our filter is the Whisper 30. We clean it about every month. We don't have a gravel vac- usually when we clean out the tank we just hand clean the gravel. Is that okay or should we get a gravel vac?

 

[Luci]

It sounds like a harmless fungus that grows from overfeeding and/or not enough circulation. Could you post a picture? And also, what is your feeding schedule like.

We feed the fish every morning and every night. Pix posted above

 

[phishfriend]

When you say hand clean. How do you do that exactly??

Yes you will need a vac and a five gallon bucket. You what to start rinse your filter out in old tank water. Never rinse it in tap water this a big no no! Also it don't need to be replace unless falling apart.

I would also cut feeds back to once a day

 

[Rivercats]

Gravel vac's are part of the syphon you use to do water changes. Here is what you need for gravel cleaning while removing water for your weekly water changes... Aquarium Siphons, Water Changers & Gravel Cleaners: Lee's Ultra Gravel Vacs Mini, Slim & Slim Jr

 

[AaronW]

When you say hand clean. How do you do that exactly??

Yes you will need a vac and a five gallon bucket. You what to start rinse your filter out in old tank water. Never rinse it in tap water this a big no no! Also it don't need to be replace unless falling apart.

I would also cut feeds back to once a day

I rinse my 405 out in tap water. I never run into any problems.

 

[sp0ng3r]

We try to feed them regularly: a pinch of fish flakes in the morning and at night. If by WC you mean water changing schedule, we only add water once it has gone down four or so inches(is that bad?) Our filter is whisper 30 and the tank is 16 3/4 inch high, 24 inch long and 12 1/4 inch wide. Sorry I don't know the gallons I hope this is ok...

Sorry for repost I'm new to this an don't exactly know what I'm doing yet XD

Look, I think people are trying to be nice, but you admit that you need some help. So, yes, the answer is, that is bad. You need to do 25% water changes per week or so to keep a healthy tank. I would agree with one of the posters and say that you should do a few weeks of 50% water changes to get your self on track. It is all new stuff, and nobody is saying you area bad fish keeper, you just need to know this "rule". Your fish will love you for it. This is what you need:

Amazon.com: Lee`s Aquarium Gravel Vacuum Cleaner 10 inch Med Self Start: Pet Supplies

It is cheap, and easy. you just shake it up and down a few times and then fill one of those orange home depot buckets. Then, when you refill the water, use cold water only, and use this as well to make sure that the water is conditioned.

Amazon.com: Start Right - Liquid - 4 oz.: Pet Supplies

Good luck, I hope some of my info is useful for you.

 

[Luci]

Look, I think people are trying to be nice, but you admit that you need some help. So, yes, the answer is, that is bad. You need to do 25% water changes per week or so to keep a healthy tank. I would agree with one of the posters and say that you should do a few weeks of 50% water changes to get your self on track. It is all new stuff, and nobody is saying you area bad fish keeper, you just need to know this "rule". Your fish will love you for it. This is what you need:

Amazon.com: Lee`s Aquarium Gravel Vacuum Cleaner 10 inch Med Self Start: Pet Supplies

It is cheap, and easy. you just shake it up and down a few times and then fill one of those orange home depot buckets. Then, when you refill the water, use cold water only, and use this as well to make sure that the water is conditioned.

Amazon.com: Start Right - Liquid - 4 oz.: Pet Supplies

Good luck, I hope some of my info is useful for you.

Ok thanks so much we'll start our new routine right away. Thanks everyone! we recovered a vacuum so we don't need to get one... Again thanks for all the help!

 

[Rivercats]

You need to refill your tank with water that is close to the water tempature in your tank. Using cold water can shock your fish and is only recommended when trying to induce certain species of fish to spawn. Also doing 50% WC's weekly ensures there is never a build up of nutrients or toxins in a tank. I've been keeping fish since the 70's and you can view pic's of my main tank via this link... Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community - Rivercats's Albums

 

[Rivercats]

I rinse my 405 out in tap water. I never run into any problems.

You don't want to rinse your bio-media with tap water as it kills the BB which can also cause your tank to expierence a bacterial bloom or mini cycle until the BB builds back up again.

 

[Luci]

Thank you so much everyone! We will start our new routine right away! Thanks again!

 

[Rivercats]

Forgot to add, be sure to remove as much of the white stringy substance as possible with your first couple of water changes.

 

[AaronW]

You don't want to rinse your bio-media with tap water as it kills the BB which can also cause your tank to expierence a bacterial bloom or mini cycle until the BB builds back up again.

Ok thanks. I'll remember that when I do my next Pwc