Stringy like algae?

[Krissy]

108400

Does anyone know what this is? I did a wc and it came through from my water storage tank into the aquarium. Immediately checked all the water parameters and all where they should be. Discus don't appear distressed by it but it's a fine floating like substance that has even dropped across the discus? I thought possibly some stringy like algae; fished some out and it's green/brown in colour

[jmf3460]

although I cant really explain what this is, it doesn't appear to be algae to me, nor does it appear to be anything that I would worry about messing up your water parameters. it could be white stringy poo often associated with hexamita but I'm not sure. do some googling on that.

[Kyla]

are u sure it was from ur storage tank? could it be excess slime from the fish themselves? with maybe debris stuck to it?

[jmf3460]

good thinking kyla. I was going to say that or either just bioslime associated with the addition of a new piece of wood.

[gunnerschh2]

The tank may need a good flushing out at it self.

[Ryan925]

Maybe bio film from fill hose?

[Krissy]

Thanks for suggestions all; definitely not from the fish themselves as It wasn't in there until I did the wc. I'm leaning toward Kyla and Ryan's biofilm from hose. When I scooped as much from the tank as I could it's a fine green brown web like structure. Spent a good hour vacuuming with my new Cobalt vacuum and it seems to have done the trick. The stuff was all over the tank. I'll try flushing the hose with bleach and see how that goes.

[alron2]

Put a fine mess paint strainer bag on the end of your hose and see if that stops it.
Ron

[Krissy]

Good suggestion, thanks Ron. Will try it

[Filip]

Its def. some harmless life form (mould , bacteria) from your aging barrel Krissy.
Clean your aging barrel and hoses and do not put any dechlorinator in it. Let the chlorine/chloramine prevent " life" between the two WCs .

[bluelagoon]

Its def. some harmless life form (mould , bacteria) from your aging barrel Krissy.
Clean your aging barrel and hoses and do not put any dechlorinator in it. Let the chlorine/chloramine prevent " life" between the two WCs .

+ 1 for not putting dechlor in ageing barrel and if you do this,a slime build up may occur.

[Krissy]

Okay, some weeks on and the biofilm has turned out to be hair algae. I managed to get rid of a lot of it but in the past few weeks with a household of visitors and taking them sightseeing etc my vigilant attempt to get rid of it entirely slipped. Now it is growing on the universal background and on the mopani and driftwood; I kinda like the look of it - gives the tank a more natural aesthetic. Is there any harm in leaving the hair algae in and keeping it in control?

[bluelagoon]

If you can't get the nitrates and/or phosphates lowered,try the amount of lighting per day.Algae will not harm your fish;it just looks unsightly to many.

[Krissy]

Thanks Mervin, nitrates are fine reading at 5 ppm however I didn't know you could test for phosphates - I'll have to do some more reading it seems.