eird slimy hairy stuff.

[aquariumgirl16]

I'm getting a weird slimy hairy substance on the walls of my aquarium. The fish keep pecking at it, but I don't know if it will harm them. Should I clean it off? I don't know what it is. It's clear. I only noticed it because it is waving around like hair from the water movement.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Without a picture its hard to id something that is weird, slimy and hairy in a reef. Could almost be any number of things.

 

[aquariumgirl16]

If you can see it, (the thin diagonal lines) it's almost transparent, but when I wipe it off, it's white slimy stuff.

 

[tthemadd1]

Bacteria maybe. Where do you get your topoff water. Also is there a power jet directed at it?
Have you left it on there a few days? Does it turn green?

 

[aquariumgirl16]

Not green. Been there a long time. I use well water. It doesn't have anything in it. I usually test it first for anything, but I don't know about bacteria.

 

[2quills]

Quote:
Originally Posted by aquariumgirl16 http:///t/396334/eird-slimy-hairy-stuff#post_3531102
I use well water. It doesn't have anything in it. I usually test it first for anything,

Well water can contain a whole host of bad stuff in it that we as hobbyist don't test for including Coliform Bacteria. If you have a private well you should really have your water tested annually by a professional lab. At the very least wells are usually high in iron which isn't so terrible for us but the concentrations could lead to problems in your tank.

 

[aquariumgirl16]

Is it bad if the water turns yellow?

 

[tthemadd1]

I think its algae silicates or the like. Yes I would say its not good. Do you run a skimmer? If so are you pulling anything out?

 

[aquariumgirl16]

No skimmer. Should I get one.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by aquariumgirl16 http:///t/396334/eird-slimy-hairy-stuff#post_3531217
No skimmer. Should I get one.

A skimmer removes organic matter from the water, and yes it will help get rid of yellow/green water. However dinoflaggigates nor hair algae will go away because of the skimmer. Lots of water changes and whatever you do...do not use tap water, instead use RO or RO/DI for the salt-mix, no natural light hitting the tank, don't overfeed, and making sure to keep 0 phosphates is the only answer for that problem.

 

[aquariumgirl16]

My tank is right next to a window, and I can't move it.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by aquariumgirl16 http:///t/396334/eird-slimy-hairy-stuff#post_3531295
My tank is right next to a window, and I can't move it.

Okay...cover the window. I have a 56g tall tank in my bedroom, it sits right next to a window, I coved that side of the tank with decorative stuff. It still looks nice but doesn't allow the sun to shine on the tank...covering the window made my room too dark. Even a dark shade on the window that you close for certain hours when the sun is shining hard on it will help. One of those paneled room dividers could also be used, and it's easy enough to remove later on in the day. Get inventive.

 

[sweatervest13]

It looks like film algae on the glass to me. Do you have an algae scrapper (mag float)?? How often do you clean your glass?

I have let my glass go for a few extra days and the film algae gets pretty long and starts to flow with the tank current.

 

[aquariumgirl16]

I clean my glass with a special sponge scraper thing for the tank. whenever it gets dirty.

 

[sweatervest13]

I clean my glass with a special sponge scraper thing for the tank. whenever it gets dirty.
Okay... Did cleaning the glass correct the problem???

 

[aquariumgirl16]

Tank is in dining room. I can not cover the window, also glass door. No way to block the light.

 

[aquariumgirl16]

Cleaning the glass did help, but after a few days it came back.

 

[tthemadd1]

I clean my glass every day. Just part of the routine

 

[sweatervest13]

Quote:
Originally Posted by aquariumgirl16 http:///t/396334/eird-slimy-hairy-stuff#post_3531471
Cleaning the glass did help, but after a few days it came back.

Yeah... That's what it does. I think that the problem is solved. Film algae on the glass... Solution... Clean the glass every other day... End result... Clean glass for two days.

Its kinda like vacuuming the floor. Doing it once is not a permanent solution. You have to repeat every once in a while to obtain the desired result. lol.

 

[tthemadd1]

One thing you can do is look at the inside of the front glass from the side pane. From outside it usually looks white but from the side it has a green hue. RO water and absolute perfect water will reduce the need but it is just maintenance to me.