Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => The Emergency Room => Topic started by: Fiona on July 17, 2014, 10:45:28 AM

Title: White Fluffy Algae HELP!!
Post by: Fiona on July 17, 2014, 10:45:28 AM

Over the last week I noticed a white fluffy looking 'algae' growing on my java moss and grass. I did an internet search but couldnt find anything like it.

I trimmed up the moss and the grass and siphoned the cut bits away as best I could, I've just spotted it growing on one of my air stones now too, I'll get my son to take a photo later but does anyone have any idea what it could be please?

Title: Re: White Fluffy Algae HELP!!
Post by: SteveS on July 17, 2014, 11:29:58 AM

Algae can can be caused by a variety of problems. Most new tanks will suffer from one or more types of algae before they settle down so don't panic.

The first step is to identify the type of algae you have. Here is a page (http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm) that can help.

Title: Re: White Fluffy Algae HELP!!
Post by: Pawel on July 17, 2014, 01:10:12 PM

I've boookmarked this page, thanks Steve. I seem to have some green strandy and purple algae growing.

Title: Re: White Fluffy Algae HELP!!
Post by: Fiona on July 17, 2014, 11:01:26 PM

This white stuff is growing on the airstone at the back of the tank, the one in the front is under the substrate and seems ok and its on all my plants now. All the chemical levels in the tank are fine and the fish look ok

Title: Re: White Fluffy Algae HELP!!
Post by: Fiona on July 17, 2014, 11:02:33 PM

 I trimmed off the grass and moss but if you look you can see its grown back on both its spreading to the broad leafed plants now.

I cant find anything like it in the link to the doc you posted Steve

Apologies for the multiple edits

Title: Re: White Fluffy Algae HELP!!
Post by: SteveS on July 18, 2014, 09:50:58 PM

I've had a poke about the web and found some stuff about this. It's a bacterial growth that occurs from time to time, especially in new tanks. I used to get it on my CO₂ diffuser. As your plants develop and your fish mature it should disappear. My fish used to eat it.

Title: Re: White Fluffy Algae HELP!!
Post by: Fiona on July 19, 2014, 12:53:41 PM

I cleaned as much out as I could yesterday and its actually more gelatinous than furry, really nasty stuff and thanks for the reply steve, lets hope it'll go then. The fish don't seem in the slightest bit interested in it, even the ottos turn their noses up at it

Title: Re: White Fluffy Algae HELP!!
Post by: Fiona on August 16, 2014, 02:43:32 PM

I just thought I ought to let you know,  I used eSHa 2000 to treat my fish and  it also got rid of this nasty algae growth.

Title: Re: White Fluffy Algae HELP!!
Post by: SteveS on August 17, 2014, 05:30:33 PM

The fact that Esha 2000 gets rid of this stuff confirms my suggestion above that it is a bacterial growth and NOT algae. Esha 2000 should be totally ineffective against algae.

Title: Re: White Fluffy Algae HELP!!
Post by: Fiona on August 18, 2014, 11:49:13 AM

Sorry I should have called it a bacteria growth  ;) and yes sir you were right so thank you