fuzz/fur

[OncMan]

I have a 400 gallon tank that was just established 2-3 months ago. It was looking good for a while, but I now have this white, stringy cotton candy-like material growing and stranding in multiple areas off the rock and branch. The glass is perfectly clear. It's quite slimy and I can remove some of it (with effort) with a net, but it comes back within 48 hours or so. It started up after the UV sterilizer was turned on, and following a period of extreme cloudiness (now resolved) after a bacterial load was added to the tank. The owner of the local aquarium shop who helped me set up the tank says he's never seen this in 20 years. Hard to believe this is a new phenomenon!

Anyone?

I may be in the wrong forum...

 

[Ron Reefman]

I've been in the hobby 15 years and I've never seen it either.

I'd be looking at the bacterium that was added to the tank.

I'd try to keep removing it with a net as best you can and see if it doesn't become less of an issue over 2 to 4 weeks. I'd also be keeping a close eye on water test results.

 

[CuzzA]

Are you adding any type of carbon source? Vodka, Vinegar, Bio Pellets? That looks like bacteria to me. Anyone who doses carbon would likely also concur. That clumpy stringy formation is very common at the source of carbon. Particularly in reactors or in a sump where the carbon is being dosed.

 

[OncMan]

I was advised to add a large carbon pad to the sump in an effort to clear the display tank.