Help! Weird algae?

[RenitaO]

I have this strange clearish/white algae growing in my fish tank I don't know what it is. Does anybody recognize it as a specific strand? It started growing first on that branch of wood. I think it might have been in the wood. What should I do?

 

[RenitaO]

I just did a partial water change, took out the branch, and washed all the plants. We'll see if it works. I don't know what to do with the branch, and it's a shame it had fungus on it It's huge and pretty and it was expensive.

 

[Smoxolotl]

Well.. since no one's replied yet, I'll chime in. I'm not sure that this would be the best solution, and you would have to be careful about reintroducing the wood, but I'd try soaking it in a bleach water solution for at least 24hours. The main problem with this that I can see is that the porous wood could/will soak up the bleach and release it over time, or instantly possibly. I would definitely quarantine the wood for quite a while after bleaching, and probably seal the wood with a tank appropriate varnish!

 

[kcoscia]

Hello!
The white on your wood is completely safe and normal! That happens sometimes with new wood. It will go away on its own!
Don't throw it away and I wouldn't bleach it because it may leach bleach back into your tank.

Sent from my VS840 4G using Tapatalk

 

[Kaini]

Hello!
The white on your wood is completely safe and normal! That happens sometimes with new wood. It will go away on its own!
Don't throw it away and I wouldn't bleach it because it may leach bleach back into your tank.

Sent from my VS840 4G using Tapatalk

I second this DON'T bleach your wood D:

 

[Elise]

I had this issue recently with some Malaysian driftwood I purchased.

I would disagree that it is completely harmless. My axolotl used the driftwood as a hide and eventually had the mold attach to her gills from brushing against it. The gill filaments which were in contact with the mold began to recede, which might have been atrophy as they had a white appearance. They regrew quickly but only after the problem was gone.

I removed both the wood and substrate and then sanitized all surface areas to clear up the growth. I left my filter alone. I also purchased some duckweed to help out-compete for nutrients, though this step might have been unnecessary.

 

[Smoxolotl]

You can bleach wood, porous ornaments, etc. I have done this. You have to heavily rinse and quarantine them for extended periods of time tho. I've seen quite a few unnecessary problems created by not quarantining seriously. In a beautiful tank that you invest alot of time and $ and in, its worth taking the extra time to make sure its safe or healthy. I like Elise's insight on this one. Out competing seems like an easy fix until more drastic measures are required.

 

[kcoscia]

You can bleach wood, porous ornaments, etc. I have done this. You have to heavily rinse and quarantine them for extended periods of time tho. I've seen quite a few unnecessary problems created by not quarantining seriously. In a beautiful tank that you invest alot of time and $ and in, its worth taking the extra time to make sure its safe or healthy. I like Elise's insight on this one. Out competing seems like an easy fix until more drastic measures are required.

I agree with both of you. The thing is though, I don't think its an algae, more a fungus. So would out-competing work still?

Also, did you give the wood a good boil?