White 'stuff' On The Filters In Both Tanks

[FisherGirl]

Hello!
I have briefly scrolled through the topics and I didn't see one like this, so I am posting it. (trying not to be the annoying newbie LOL)

I have two fresh water fish tanks and both of them have this white 'stuff' on the inside of the filters (I have attached pictures) and I am not sure what it is? I have also noticed that the water in both tanks seem to be cloudy.

Tank #1
is a small tank, around 15 gal. with rocks and plastic plants. Is stocked with: 2 Green Tiger Barbs, 4 Tiger Barbs, 2 snails, and 1 algae eater. My current levels in this tank are:
GH: 120
KH: 0
PH: 7.0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 160
Ammonia: 0


Tank #2 is a large tank 55 gal. with river rock, plastic plants and ornaments. Stocked with: 2 rainbow fish, 1 red tailed shark, 1 rainbow shark, 1 Blue Ram, 3 Odessa Barbs, 1 Bala Shark, 2 Irridescent Sharks, 2 Pictus Catfish, 1 Striped Raffael Catfish, 2 algae eaters. The current levels are:
GH: 120
KH: 0
PH: 7.0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 160
Ammonia: 0

I know some of the levels in both tanks are way off, not sure what is causing this. I do think sometimes I over feed my fish, could this be the cause to all problems? Any info would be greatly appreciated Thanks!

 

[thereverendturtle]

Does it have a slimmy feel or is it hard?

 

[FisherGirl]

Does it have a slimmy feel or is it hard?

It does not feel slimmy, it feels dry comes off easily with fingers

 

[fluttermoth]

I don't think it's anything to worry about, it's just a residue from the water evaporating.

Your nitrate levels are very high, probably because both your tanks are quite badly overstocked. You need to do more, or larger, water changes to reduce that.

I feel I ought to warn you that the iridescent sharks and the bala shark aren't really suitable for your tank, as they grow very large; the bala shark should also be kept in a shoal, but you wouldn't have room to get any more.

 

[snazy]

The white stuff is probably nothing to worry about, just your water.
The high nitrAtes could be from overstocking and overfeeding, probably excess amount of waste as well, or not enough gravel siphoning and no regular water changes.

 

[Questions?]

the white stuff is calcium and is expected with water exaporating

and in your 55 the sharks wil all fight when they are bigger, bu your bala shark will die of depresiions, they should be kept in schools of at least 3, sorry

also the catfish need to be moved to a larger tank, and the algea eater(depending on what ind) should be moved to the 55 gallon, when the sharks and catfish are rehomed(hopefully)

 

[FisherGirl]

Thanks everyone for your comments/advice. Glad to hear the white stuff is nothing to really worry about!

 

[dannybgoode]

The calcium deposits aren't something to worry about. Your nitrate levels and current stocking are - 160ppm is becoming dangerously high and as others have said your stocking in both tanks is a problem so a smiley face not really appropriate I'm afraid.

I'm sorry to be blunt and I appreciate you may have just been going on the advice of a fish / pet shop but they can sometimes given the most appalling advice. Fish are animals and rely on us to make sure they are properly looked after just like any other pet

Can you elaborate on the algae eater. Is it a plec or a something like a chinese algae eater. If its a plec do you know what sort - these can grow big (60cm+) and you will do it irreparable damage keeping it in such a small tank. If its a chinese algae eater - again these get quite big (not anything like a plec) but are very aggressive and will cause no end of problems in that tank.

Same applies to the algae eaters in tank 2.

The bala shark needs a huge tank - 6 foot + and as others have said need companions. Groups of 3 as an absolute minimum (and please to god don't go out and buy another two with your current set up), 6+ much better.

The two iridescent sharks will possibly fight to the death and in any event - again the tank isn't big enough even for one once is full grown - need a 4 foot + tank. The cat fish need more space also.

The best thing you can do is try and re-home or take back the inappropriate fish and start again. If that is not possible then you really need to keep on top of those nitrate levels and look to keep them below 40ppm otherwise your overstocking will cure itself...

Cheers

Danny B

 

[fluttermoth]

ID sharks are actually shoaling fish, Danny, not territorial like RTBS or rainbows. They do grow to over three feet long though; possibly as much as ten, depending on species. Not a fish that should be in the trade at all, IMO.

 

[dannybgoode]

Thanks Flutter, been a long day - I was thinking rainbow, my bad! Just googled it - good god, they are proper monsters!! Seems worse than if it were RTBS or rainbow...

I stand by the rest of my post though...

Cheers

Danny B

 

[fluttermoth]

Ah, we all have days like that, buddy!

I stand by the rest of your post too

 

[dannybgoode]

Been up since 530 - 14 week old babies have a tendancy of getting up when they want, not necessarily at a time that is socially acceptable!

Cheers

Danny B