White fluff on plants and decorations

[tom731]

Hi, I’m still pretty new to the aquarium hobby. I have a 70L (18 gallon) tank that’s been running for 4 weeks. I was a told by my local fish store to do a fish in cycle (a mistake I have since found out) so I am currently nearing the end of that (I think).

Recently there has been a load of white fluff (see photos) on the pants and wood. Having done some research I’m not sure if it is a fungus or bacterial bloom or algae. All the other posts about this issue just seem to be on the wood but mine is mostly on the plants.

im not sure that it would be a fungus as my fish unfortunately contracted ich and finished a 6 day treatment of protozin last week so surely there shouldn’t be any fungus as protozin is used to treat fungus as well?

my current parameters are:
Ammonia=0
Nitrite=0-0.25
Nitrate=20
pH=7.4

what do you think this is and how do I get rid of it?

thanks!

 

[Essjay]

Protozin doesn't kill fungus on the decor only the specific type of fungus which attacks fish. The stuff on your decor and plants looks more like algae than fungus.

Algae usually grow because there is an imbalance between the food available to the plants and light.
How long are your lights on for each day?

 

[tom731]

They are on for approx 12 hours a day but turned off in the middle of the day as I want to see the fish in the evening when it’s dark