Is This Algae?

[Underwurlde]

Yo!

I have a Juwel Record 60 tank that I (as a complete newbie) have set up and has been running now for >2 weeks and is currently supporting a total of 6 small fish & a shrimp.

On one of the ornaments (blame the kids for this - it's an orange octopus ) there is something growing on its ooooing mouth: It's about pinky finger in width, 1/2" long, transparent and silky like in appearance and waves about in the current - I guess I can better decrible it as wet toilet paper...

Anyone knows what this may be and more importantly what this is an indication of with regards water quality etc?

Many thanks in advance,

Andy

 

[b.c.f.c]

im guessing you havnt cycled your tank ?

 

[Chri$]

It's about pinky finger in width, 1/2" long, transparent and silky like in appearance and waves about in the current

Never heard or seen anything like this before?

 

[Underwurlde]

Yo!

@bcfc - Your assumption is correct - I have not cycled my tank. Infact I wouldn't know how....

@chris - I am finding it hard to describe - I will attempt a photo but taking photos of anything in my tank is proving horribly awkward for some reason....

Thanks again,

Andy

 

[madcaow]

sounds like some sort of random crap. just reach in there and take it out maybe??

if you have only had your tank setup for under 2 weeks your fishies are going to have a hard time until its cycled. i'd recommend taking them back to the fish store and cycle your tank without them.

get yourself some ammonia and a master test kit that tests for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates at least. also pH.

do a search on here for fishless cycle and have a good read.

 

[Underwurlde]

sounds like some sort of random crap. just reach in there and take it out maybe??

I don't think it's 'random crap' because it is growing - Until I know what it is, i'll leave it in there on the grounds that it may be beneficial...

if you have only had your tank setup for under 2 weeks your fishies are going to have a hard time until its cycled. i'd recommend taking them back to the fish store and cycle your tank without them.

get yourself some ammonia and a master test kit that tests for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates at least. also pH.

do a search on here for fishless cycle and have a good read.

Your advice sounds a bit drastic! The shop I got my first fish from (Southern Aquatics) did a water test for me a week after running my tank set up (running with de-chlorinated water) for a week - they said it was fine and then suggested a range of hardy fish for me to start off with, i.e. 2 Glow lights & 2 Harliquins.

Through talking to the guys at Southern Aquatics they all came across as mega-enthusiasts and I trusted their knowlege & advice.

Thanks again for your help,


Andy

 

[Milo]

Eggs perhaps

 

[starrynightxxi]

sounds like a fungus or mold to me. Might need to remove the ornament and try boiling it.

 

[Underwurlde]

>update<

A mate of mine mentioned something called 'hair algae'....

could it be that?

 

[starrynightxxi]

no, hair algae is green.

 

[dapope12]

it could be a number of things

the ordement could be dirty or it could of had a small fungus or bacteria already on it when you bought it. i would take it out, pick/scrap what ever it is, boil it, and possibly let it sit in a clear glad container (you must have some since you have a wife ). then watch it to see if it start growing agian, if it doesnt then put it back in

 

[Lord Zogat]

Anyone knows what this may be and more importantly what this is an indication of with regards water quality etc?

Andy

Microscopic Aliens?

Ok, I agree with taking it out and removing the growth. Maybe better to do it now than when it climbs out of the tank and latches onto one of the kids.

 

[Underwurlde]

@starrynightxxi: Thanks - not that then!

@dapope12: Thanks - sounds like good advice.

@Lord Zogat

Maybe better to do it now than when it climbs out of the tank and latches onto one of the kids

& then again maybe not a bad thing.... (less grubby mit marks on my tank a viable bonus for starters)

Octopus now removed, boiled and ready to go back in.

Thanks everyone

 

[b.c.f.c]

i agree with madcaow , get your self a test kit and do your cycle, i dont see how your tank can be cycled in 2 weeks (or maybe it was )
or if you do not get a test kit go to another fish store and have your water tested there and go from there rearly.(as your lfs which you got your fish from may have done the test wrong or told you rubbish)
this lfs you were talking about doesnt sound very good to me ,they may look like mega-enthusiasts but they are there to sell fish and do not care about the welfare of the fish once they leave the shop.if they were experts then they wouldnt of told you to get 2 of each 'hardy fish' which are schooling fish and need to be in groups of 6 or more.
sorry if this was a bit off topic but i felt it had to be pointed out.

 

[carrera]

Your advice sounds a bit drastic! The shop I got my first fish from (Southern Aquatics) did a water test for me a week after running my tank set up (running with de-chlorinated water) for a week - they said it was fine and then suggested a range of hardy fish for me to start off with, i.e. 2 Glow lights & 2 Harliquins.

Through talking to the guys at Southern Aquatics they all came across as mega-enthusiasts and I trusted their knowlege & advice.

Thanks again for your help,


Andy

if i have read what you said correctly, you ran your tank for a week with nothing in it and then took the water to be tested? what did you expect other than clean water?

the damage is done once the fish waste is broken down and ammonia is released into the water.

i agree with above posts that unless you know how to complete a cycle with fish, take them back and do some research into a fishless cycle.