Kedar wrote:
I have a 10 G glass tank with 2 small fantails. It is almost 3 months
now that i have this tank. I monitor all the water parameters and it
seems my tank has cycled well now. Aorund 2 weeks back i bought the
mini bonsai decoration for my aquarium and when i took it off yesterday
for routine cleaning i found it has become very slimy. Also I
discovered some light brownish spots on another plant leaves which were
removed upon light cleaning. All plantation is plastic in this tank & i
have a 24x7 external power filter with 90 gph o/p with bio cartridge...

I believe the slimy thing is algea and now my question is it is okay
for plants to be slightly slimy or should i start some algea control
right away. I do not wish to disturb OR bring down my painstakingly
cycled tank.

Every input will be appreciated.

Thanks
Kedar

Slime is often bacteria, not slime, although this may be non pathogenic
bacteria, large build ups can rob your fish of oxygen. I do not think
this is happening here though. You can clean your plastic plants in a
15-10% bleach and water solution for about 1/2 hour then rinse with a
little sodium thiosulfate (found in most de-chlorinators such Start
Right).
If your fish are doing well and you are performing regular water
changes, rinsing filter media (not changing it all), and all your water
parameters including kH are good. I would just clean your plants and
keep a watch of your fish and aquarium.
Make sure your ammonia and nitrites are 0; Your nitrates are under
40-50 ppm; Your kH is above 80 ppm (if low pH fish, a Kh of about 80
ppm is OK)

Carl