slime???

[Just5398]

I'm trying to do a fishless cycle on a 20 gallon and there seems to be white slime all over, is that normal????

[Pallen81]

A White Slime? On the glass? How long has there been water in the tank?

Do you have a picture? I think we may need more info on that one. that sounds odd.

[Dangerdoll]

how far along are you into the cycle? What are you cycling with? Have you checked all the parameters or only the ammonia as of yet?

[Just5398]

A White Slime? On the glass? How long has there been water in the tank?

Do you have a picture? I think we may need more info on that one. that sounds odd.

Can't really see it in a photo I think, It just looks cloudy and when you wipe it it's slimy.

[Just5398]

how far along are you into the cycle? What are you cycling with? Have you checked all the parameters or only the ammonia as of yet?

It's been 13 days I'm trying a fishless cycle with clear ammonia. The nitrItes have fluctuated between 0 up to .1 up to .25 then back to 0 today. NitrAtes fluctuated between 20, down to 0 back to 20 then holding at 5 since day 9. Oh, and ammonia was at 4 then to 2 today after a 4 gallon water change.

I'm using Stability by Seachem to try to get the cycle kick started. It says to add a capfull for every 20 gallons daily for 7 days and to turn off UV/ozone. I've been keeping the light off. I have a heater kept at 78 and 2 filters running both have filter cartridges.

[Dangerdoll]

hmmm..... you shouldn't be changing any water on a fishless cycle. Your goal is to get the ammonia up to 5.0 and then trying to sustain that by keeping a close watch. As the ammonia depletes, you need to keep adding the ammonia to keep it up at 5.0. This will happen as the bacteria builds itself up, you will notice a decrease of the ammonia as the days go on and the time between the ammonia lessening getting shorter and shorter until you are adding ammonia to get up to 5.0 daily and your nitrates are showing with 0 nitrites. As far as adding anything to boost the cycle such as the Stability by Seachem, I don't really know but I would guess that would be the problem.

[Just5398]

With the ammonia at 5 I do nothing until it starts to drop, then I only add ammonia to keep it at 5? Once it starts to drop the nitrites should rise, is that right?
I thought I understood it but I guess I didn't. So I need to sit tight until the ammonia starts to fall.

Thanks!!!

[Dangerdoll]

exactly, do nothng until it starts to fall and it will, you just have to be patient. I know, it's a tough thing to do, it nearly killed me :) Once the ammonia starts to fall, the nitrites will begin to build and then bleed off into nitrates, it may not be immediate for that but eventually, it will come together. Just remember, ammonia to nitrites to nitrates, making your nitrates your ultimate goal.

[Mgamer20o0]

when your ammonia falls you should add more in there also. give it some time... everything will be ok.

[Rbishop]

Whats the ammonia reading on your tap water? And what test kit are you using? Strips? Liquid?

[Just5398]

Whats the ammonia reading on your tap water? And what test kit are you using? Strips? Liquid?

The tap water is .25 and I'm using the liquid API test.

[BrkD]

i had similar white slimelike things sticking onto the glass, decors or just floating. i thought it was the fish food that had rotted. did you add fish food for your source of ammonia?

[Just5398]

i had similar white slimelike things sticking onto the glass, decors or just floating. i thought it was the fish food that had rotted. did you add fish food for your source of ammonia?

I'm glad it's not just me!!! I just used pure ammonia no fish food.
How did you get rid of it?

[Dangerdoll]

I'm thinking it might be some kind of algae or bacteria or may be linked to the dechlorinator you're putting in the tank. For now, since I can see you will be starting your cycle again due to your water changes, don't add any dechlor, clean up the slime with a gravel vac or whatever you can... get the ammonia level up to 5, and play the waiting game. Not too fun of a game but well worth the effort in the long run. Once you ahave reached the end of your cycle, meaning 0 ammonia, 0 nitrate, 10-20 nitrate after adding ammonia to level at 5.0 daily for over a week, then make sure to do a big water change and wala, you are ready for a full load of fish.

[BrkD]

just incase youre still having that problem. the white slime stuff is plastic/silicone in your tank decomposing. i noticed it on air tubing and the suction cups. just rub it off and net it out then do a waterchange if any is left over.

[Just5398]

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p217/just5398/slime2.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p217/just5398/slime.jpg

Here are photos of the slime stuff. I didn't notice it on the filter media until I needed to take the cover off. I think you can see it flowing off the white filter pad in the direction of the tank. I don't know if I should just leave it alone or rinse it off, any suggestions? It looks gel-like.

[Omega]

Here are photos of the slime stuff. I didn't notice it on the filter media until I needed to take the cover off. I think you can see it flowing off the white filter pad in the direction of the tank. I don't know if I should just leave it alone or rinse it off, any suggestions? It looks gel-like.Eh that's gross. Never seen anything like it.

Definitely clean it out.

[BrkD]

ohh...i was way off. i have no idea what that is. sorry man