Is this a type of algae???

[Rocky998]

So, this stuff has been here a long time but I saw it holding bubbles and was wondering if its a type of algae or just some weird alien growth stuff that happens when wood is drowned in water.

 

[StandbySetting]

It's mould/fungus, pretty normal on wood that has dried out and recently been submerged, you can suck it off with a baster or syringe. Despite being unsightly it usually poses no harm, I don't like leaving it personally as it looks unsightly so I tend to remove it with the method mentioned above.

 

[Rocky998]

It's mould/fungus, pretty normal on wood that has dried out and recently been submerged, you can suck it off with a baster or syringe. Despite being unsightly it usually poses no harm, I don't like leaving it personally as it looks unsightly so I tend to remove it with the method mentioned above.

I kinda like it actually.... Looks like nature!

 

[Rocky998]

It's mould/fungus, pretty normal on wood that has dried out and recently been submerged, you can suck it off with a baster or syringe. Despite being unsightly it usually poses no harm, I don't like leaving it personally as it looks unsightly so I tend to remove it with the method mentioned above.

Thank you!

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Driftwood “snot”. Totally normal. I would remove the pieces and give them a good scrub under hot tap water, then add them back to the tank.

 

[Rocky998]

Driftwood “snot”. Totally normal. I would remove the pieces and give them a good scrub under hot tap water, then add them back to the tank.

but, its safe to keep it right? Will my shrimp or snails like it?

 

[PheonixKingZ]

but, its safe to keep it right? Will my shrimp or snails like it?

It’s completely safe, I just personally don’t like looking at it. I have witnessed snails eating it, so you can leave it if you like.

 

[Rocky998]

It’s completely safe, I just personally don’t like looking at it. I have witnessed snails eating it, so you can leave it if you like.

Ok! Thanks! Hopefully my shrimps will like it then!

 

[Colin_T]

Some of it is safe and some is poisonous. Just assume it's bad and take the wood outside and hose it off. Then put it back in the tank.

Do a big water change before putting it back in the tank.

 

[Rocky998]

Do a big water change before putting it back in the tank.

This is going to be the first time im going to refuse the advice given... No, im going to be doing a big water change at the end of the cycle. So, I will wash it off today maybe but I wont do a large water change

 

[Colin_T]

If it's poisonous and there are fish in the tank, the water change will dilute the toxins in the water. If there's no fish in the tank, then do a water change whenever.

 

[Byron]

@Colin_T is quite correct, this fungus can be highly toxic depending upon the species. And there is no way to determine the species except an analysis by a trained microbiologist. I had the toxic fungus some years ago and nearly lost my fish. I tossed the wood out. If fish are present in the tank and show signs of being affected by the fungus, it will kill them in short order. Increased respiration, lethargy, maybe remaining near the surface, gasping--all are signs of something in the water, such as a poisonous fungus (and a lot of other things too, obviously).

The fungus comes from inside the wood, and seems most common with the branchy wood (spiderwood, grapewood, and similar). I scraped mine thoroughly, dried it, and let it soak in a tnk with no fish for three months; not a sign of the fungus, so I put it in a tank with fish, and within two weeks, fish began showing signs of toxins and there was the smallest bit of fungus on the rear side of the wood.

 

[Rocky998]

@Colin_T is quite correct, this fungus can be highly toxic depending upon the species. And there is no way to determine the species except an analysis by a trained microbiologist. I had the toxic fungus some years ago and nearly lost my fish. I tossed the wood out. If fish are present in the tank and show signs of being affected by the fungus, it will kill them in short order. Increased respiration, lethargy, maybe remaining near the surface, gasping--all are signs of something in the water, such as a poisonous fungus (and a lot of other things too, obviously).

The fungus comes from inside the wood, and seems most common with the branchy wood (spiderwood, grapewood, and similar). I scraped mine thoroughly, dried it, and let it soak in a tnk with no fish for three months; not a sign of the fungus, so I put it in a tank with fish, and within two weeks, fish began showing signs of toxins and there was the smallest bit of fungus on the rear side of the wood.

I just thought of something... I spent sooo long putting my decor together and the wood is holding it all together... I will try to take it out without destroying my hardscape... The fungus looks like a jello substance but it also has a cloud like appearence.

 

[Rocky998]

@Colin_T is quite correct, this fungus can be highly toxic depending upon the species. And there is no way to determine the species except an analysis by a trained microbiologist. I had the toxic fungus some years ago and nearly lost my fish. I tossed the wood out. If fish are present in the tank and show signs of being affected by the fungus, it will kill them in short order. Increased respiration, lethargy, maybe remaining near the surface, gasping--all are signs of something in the water, such as a poisonous fungus (and a lot of other things too, obviously).

The fungus comes from inside the wood, and seems most common with the branchy wood (spiderwood, grapewood, and similar). I scraped mine thoroughly, dried it, and let it soak in a tnk with no fish for three months; not a sign of the fungus, so I put it in a tank with fish, and within two weeks, fish began showing signs of toxins and there was the smallest bit of fungus on the rear side of the wood.

Could I soak in a 1-20 bleach solution? Or would that damage my cycle?

 

[Byron]

I just thought of something... I spent sooo long putting my decor together and the wood is holding it all together... I will try to take it out without destroying my hardscape... The fungus looks like a jello substance but it also has a cloud like appearence.

Appearance is normal, it can be sort of slimy or a bit more fluffy. It all depends upon the species.