help required with aquarium outbreak

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Hello, I am new to this newsgroup. I have recently
setup a 10 gal. tank which now has 2 zebras, 2 neons,
2 peppered catfish ,one algae eater catfish and
a few baby guppies.

Today morning I found the entire tank covered in a
white/transparent, cotton-like blanket. On big rocks
it is filamentous and it looks like algae, except for
the color - which is white. On the gravel it looks
like a white fluffy velvet. On the glass walls it has
fine threads which move under the current. It feels
slimy. The entire aquarium looks like an old castle
room covered by spider webs.

However, the fish look happy and in good shape (so far).
The tank has not had the chance to cycle yet, however
I have no ammonia spikes and no fish losses so far.

Coincidentally, yesterday I introduced a few new plants
(moneywort) from PetSmart. Also, yesterday I started to
provide algae wafers to my few catfish. May it be related ?

Another thing, the green algae which started to build-up
in early stages has stopped to develop, despite the strong
tungsten lightening of the tank (160 Watt, side, 0.5m away).
The plants are not doing exceptionally well.. Oh, I also do
not have a tank lid.

Does anybody know what this can be and how can I get rid of
it? Also, please inform me if you think I am doing various
thinks wrong - which is very likely.

Nic. London ON, CA
http://www.csd.uwo.ca/~nic/






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If it is white but looks like hair algae, it is probably a fungus, and is
usually caused by over feeding.

"Nic. Santean" wrote in message
...
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Hello, I am new to this newsgroup. I have recently
setup a 10 gal. tank which now has 2 zebras, 2 neons,
2 peppered catfish ,one algae eater catfish and
a few baby guppies.

Today morning I found the entire tank covered in a
white/transparent, cotton-like blanket. On big rocks
it is filamentous and it looks like algae, except for
the color - which is white. On the gravel it looks
like a white fluffy velvet. On the glass walls it has
fine threads which move under the current. It feels
slimy. The entire aquarium looks like an old castle
room covered by spider webs.

However, the fish look happy and in good shape (so far).
The tank has not had the chance to cycle yet, however
I have no ammonia spikes and no fish losses so far.

Coincidentally, yesterday I introduced a few new plants
(moneywort) from PetSmart. Also, yesterday I started to
provide algae wafers to my few catfish. May it be related ?

Another thing, the green algae which started to build-up
in early stages has stopped to develop, despite the strong
tungsten lightening of the tank (160 Watt, side, 0.5m away).
The plants are not doing exceptionally well.. Oh, I also do
not have a tank lid.

Does anybody know what this can be and how can I get rid of
it? Also, please inform me if you think I am doing various
thinks wrong - which is very likely.

Nic. London ON, CA
http://www.csd.uwo.ca/~nic/






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"KEITH JENNINGS" wrote in message
...
If it is white but looks like hair algae, it is probably a fungus, and is
usually caused by over feeding.



Second that theory. Vacuum up what you can, and cut *way* back on feeding.
Like 10% of normal feeding once a day for a week. Also, that tank is,IMO,
overstocked for a tank that isn't even cycled yet. What kind of filtration
are you using?I would suggest you get a hood, and proper lighting for the
tank as well. Fish jump out of uncovered tanks often, and since you have
live plants, lighting is a major concern.

After reading the first couple of lines of yuor message my initial
inclination was that this was a chemical precipitate of some sort, but
I can't think of one that would look like algae and adhere to the
walls of the tank. If you can, post your complete water quality
records (all the measurements you have taken since you began the tank)
along with ne measurements so I can rule this out.

What chemical additives are you using in this tank?

Perhaps someone else will have an opinion as to whether this could be
something living, although I find it hard to believe that a living
organism would fill the tank so rapidly.

Matthew Clark

Disagree with over population. I run all of my tanks with at least 1
fish per gallon. I didn't plan to overpopulate, but things happen.
I have 5 tanks; 3 tens, 1 twenty nine and one 75 gallon. The water is
clear, the fish lively and colorful and hungry twice a day.

I would agree with the overfeeding theory. It is so fun to watch them
feed. I often remind myself that fish can go for days with no new
food introduced. I just went through agony when my large black
angelfish stopped coming over to the feed area. I watched her very
closely for a month. She never took any of the food while I watched.
I feed only flake food and it floats for quite awhile. Then a few
days ago, she started eating again. She is one of my favorites, so I
was greatly relieved. The moral is think lean, less food is healthy,
more food is dangerous to the tank's health.

On Thu, 08 Jan 2004 04:07:39 GMT, "Dinky"
wrote:


"KEITH JENNINGS" wrote in message
...
If it is white but looks like hair algae, it is probably a fungus, and is
usually caused by over feeding.



Second that theory. Vacuum up what you can, and cut *way* back on feeding.
Like 10% of normal feeding once a day for a week. Also, that tank is,IMO,
overstocked for a tank that isn't even cycled yet. What kind of filtration
are you using?I would suggest you get a hood, and proper lighting for the
tank as well. Fish jump out of uncovered tanks often, and since you have
live plants, lighting is a major concern.

I also wonder...are you using a filter in your tank...you didnt mention
one...just thought Id ask...if not...you should get one or the water
will stagnate which will cause all sorts of ugly nasty things to go on
in the aquarium.
My two cents!
Take care!
Craig
Ontario, Canada

Nic. Santean wrote:

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Hello, I am new to this newsgroup. I have recently
setup a 10 gal. tank which now has 2 zebras, 2 neons,
2 peppered catfish ,one algae eater catfish and
a few baby guppies.

Today morning I found the entire tank covered in a
white/transparent, cotton-like blanket. On big rocks
it is filamentous and it looks like algae, except for
the color - which is white. On the gravel it looks
like a white fluffy velvet. On the glass walls it has
fine threads which move under the current. It feels
slimy. The entire aquarium looks like an old castle
room covered by spider webs.

However, the fish look happy and in good shape (so far).
The tank has not had the chance to cycle yet, however
I have no ammonia spikes and no fish losses so far.

Coincidentally, yesterday I introduced a few new plants
(moneywort) from PetSmart. Also, yesterday I started to
provide algae wafers to my few catfish. May it be related ?

Another thing, the green algae which started to build-up
in early stages has stopped to develop, despite the strong
tungsten lightening of the tank (160 Watt, side, 0.5m away).
The plants are not doing exceptionally well.. Oh, I also do
not have a tank lid.

Does anybody know what this can be and how can I get rid of
it? Also, please inform me if you think I am doing various
thinks wrong - which is very likely.

Nic. London ON, CA
http://www.csd.uwo.ca/~nic/






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"Dick" wrote in message
...
Disagree with over population. I run all of my tanks with at least 1
fish per gallon. I didn't plan to overpopulate, but things happen.
I have 5 tanks; 3 tens, 1 twenty nine and one 75 gallon. The water is
clear, the fish lively and colorful and hungry twice a day.



It's not overstocked for an established tank, just overstocked for a tank
that hasn't cycled yet.

quote: "Also, that tank is,IMO,
overstocked for a tank that isn't even cycled yet"



billy

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Sorry for the late reply, but I am having trouble with
my NNTP client.

I am using a TopFin 10gal filtering system with a fairly
new filter. Two more things: the promising one is that the
snot carpet (somebody mentioned that is called like that)
has partially disappeared (may have been eaten by my catfish).
It is still observable on the plants and on the glass wall. But
the massive buildups disappeared (may also be the filter).

Secondly, although I have an almost new filter, it "overflows"
daily and I have to wash it up in order to restore the correct
flow. This is quite strange - I suppose.

So, I start indeed to agree that I am having an overfeeding
problem. I must confess that a few fish showed signs of
constipation. I have not guessed yet how much is enough
for such fish population.

The pH is about 7.0 and ammonia levels are "safe" - given
by an ammonia sensor (I have no clue how reliable it is, but
I hope it is worth the money: about $9 CAD).

Today I topped the tank with about 2l of distilled water, since
I heard that the water here in London ON is very hard. Presently
I have no means to test the hardness.

Thanks a lot for your helpful advices. I am here if you have more !

P.S. The staff at PetSmart here in London is questionable. They
asked me plenty of questions which I thought were meant to let
them help me with advices. Sadly, they were just trying to find
reasons for not giving me warranty for the buy...

Cordially,

Nic. Santean
http://www.csd.uwo.ca/~nic


"C&P Devlin" wrote in message
...
I also wonder...are you using a filter in your tank...you didnt mention
one...just thought Id ask...if not...you should get one or the water
will stagnate which will cause all sorts of ugly nasty things to go on
in the aquarium.
My two cents!
Take care!
Craig
Ontario, Canada





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