White Algae?

[icepop]

I've recently noticed some white fibrous stuff growing on the filter (where the water pours out) in my 5 gallon tank. My Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate levels are all 0. All fish seem happy and healthy.

Does anyone know what this is white stuff is? I'm asuming it's algae. It's white and stringy looking. I don't know how else to describe it. It is growing mostly on the filter where the water pours out but also a bit on the filter uptake tube. Is this bad? What should I do?

 

[Guardian]

How long has your tank been set up?

 

[BigCiX]

i have the same thing on my hood. It's not bad. I simple just wipe it off when i do water changes.

 

[icepop]

I just wanted to make sure it was nothing that was going to spread all over the tank.

Guardian, my tank has been set up for about 4 months.

 

[tetra girl]

I seem to always get 'white algae' when i set up a tank. It usually like to settle on my heater rather then the filter though. By the time the tank is cycled it has always disappeared.

 

[icepop]

Well, I'm pretty certain the tank has already cycled. I gave the tank a good clean today though and rinsed off the filter bits. We'll see how long it takes to come back, if it all.

As long as it doesn't get out of hand, it's fine by me.

 

[fishysmell]

It sounds like diatoms to me (or at least I think thats what its called. I could be mixed up on names). I'm surprised it is still in the tank. It usually disappear a month after you set up a tank at most. Do you have any fish in the tank? A lot of fish like to eat it, or at least pick at it.

 

[icepop]

Diatoms? Really? I was under the impression that diatoms were microscopic. I've studied them under the microscope in biology class, I know that much.

Yes, I have fish in the tank but it is kind of out of the way for them to eat it as it is on the filter hood. It didn't show up until fairly recently though.

 

[fishysmell]

If its not in the tank I wouldn't worry about it. It wont cause any harm that I know of. Usually its a matter of it looking messy but if you can't see it when you look into the tank, I would just let it be. It'll starve itself out over time and go away.

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Well i was going to say Calcium deposits until you said it was stringy....but i get calcium deposits where ever the water has run, or splashes. And i simply wipe them away.

I also have had Blue algae......because my gravel is a red whgite and blue mix. Is your gravel white by any chance? Has it been colored white or is it natural?