Grey Spots On Algae?

[ShinyCard255]

I'm not really quite sure what all these grey spots on my algea covered decor are, but they just started to show up. It's all over the top of my cave decor that I have and it's just scattered around. I've tried looking around online for some info on this but I can't find anything. Maybe I can get some advice from you guys?

Thanks! Any help is greatly appreciated

 

[KittyKat]

What exactly is the decor and what colour was it originally? It looks like the grey is paint which is flaking off to expose the sandstone coloured under layer.

 

[HayzH]

What exactly is the decor and what colour was it originally? It looks like the grey is paint which is flaking off to expose the sandstone coloured under layer.

+1

 

[ShinyCard255]

Now that would make sense. I have noticed parts of it (even in the pictures) starting to flake off. The decor is a cave for them to swing through (bought from Petsmart). The original color was light brownish, with darker areas to give it dimension. You can see what the original color looks like in the middle picture, towards the bottom right hand corner.

I know this is a lot of algae covering this thing, now how do I get rid of some of it?

 

[HayzH]

Now that would make sense. I have noticed parts of it (even in the pictures) starting to flake off. The decor is a cave for them to swing through (bought from Petsmart). The original color was light brownish, with darker areas to give it dimension. You can see what the original color looks like in the middle picture, towards the bottom right hand corner.

I know this is a lot of algae covering this thing, now how do I get rid of some of it?

i dunno when you got it? But i would take it back and complain? decor isnt spose to just "flake" off. the paints could have alsorts of toxins in...which the fish probably eat??
I'd be fuming!

 

[ShinyCard255]

I bought it about 4 months ago (only had the tank for 4 months). I guess I can go complain to Petsmart (I doubt they would do anything about it though). They would probably tell me to get a hold of the company that makes them

EDIT:
Just found out that the manufacturer of the decor actually is Petsmart. I am so going in tonight and throwing a fit about this

 

[KittyKat]

That algae is harmless, but if you really want to get rid of it, the only long term way I know of is to heavily plant the tank, because the plants will out-compete the algae. For the short term, you could try dropping the photoperiod to only 6-10 hours per day.

 

[ShinyCard255]

That algae is harmless, but if you really want to get rid of it, the only long term way I know of is to heavily plant the tank, because the plants will out-compete the algae. For the short term, you could try dropping the photoperiod to only 6-10 hours per day.

Good to know. I did have my lights on at first for a LONG time (14-16 hour periods, I didn't know what I was doing, I was new), but now the lights are on for about 9-10 hours. I was planning on making this tank into a planted tank once I have my 60G up and running. Now I just need to read up on Low-Tech plant aquariums.

 

[Ant_Soton]

Now that would make sense. I have noticed parts of it (even in the pictures) starting to flake off. The decor is a cave for them to swing through (bought from Petsmart). The original color was light brownish, with darker areas to give it dimension. You can see what the original color looks like in the middle picture, towards the bottom right hand corner.

I know this is a lot of algae covering this thing, now how do I get rid of some of it?

i dunno when you got it? But i would take it back and complain? decor isnt spose to just "flake" off. the paints could have alsorts of toxins in...which the fish probably eat??
I'd be fuming!

I've had a few tank ornaments with paint flaking off. I think the paint must be non toxic coz its never harmed my fish !!! All painted tank ornaments tend to do it i've found !!

 

[KittyKat]

Good to know. I did have my lights on at first for a LONG time (14-16 hour periods, I didn't know what I was doing, I was new), but now the lights are on for about 9-10 hours. I was planning on making this tank into a planted tank once I have my 60G up and running. Now I just need to read up on Low-Tech plant aquariums.

I found the trick was to get the majority of the plants in one go, keep the longer photoperiods and start with undemanding stem plants… but this doesn't work for everyone!

 

[ShinyCard255]

So a little update on the situation.
I sent out an e-mail to the Petsmart Corporate Office stating that I bought the decor from them and after having it in my tank for a few months, the paint started to flake off. I also told them that my fish ate the flakes and died (which they didn't die, they are all healthy and happy). I did attach the images with my e-mail as proof of the paint flaking off.

So in return I got a VERTY generic e-mail from them stating something along the lines of them apologizing for having to deal with a defective product of theirs. They also wanted to know which store I had the decor from, like that would really do anything... they also mentioned that they plan to help resolve the issue in a timely manner, but we'll see what happens with that.