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View Full Version : Clear slime on mopani wood


Octavarium
04-09-2009, 2:55 PM
So I added a smaller piece of mopani wood to my tank after boiling for an hour and half + rinsing, and now few spots have this clear, hazy slime covering it, half inch high in one area. From what I gathered online its called "ghosting" and should be harmless. It looks like a bio film, or maybe fungi? I assume its harmless and the shrimp/snails may eat it, or the microorganisms will. Does anyone have any experience with this, and ultimately, is it safe?

petluvr
04-09-2009, 2:56 PM
Does it look sort of cottony? If so it is harmless and will go away on it's own.

Octavarium
04-09-2009, 3:06 PM
Not the normal white cotton I think of when I see fungal infections on fish in books. It's more smooth, transparent, slime. I guess you could say "cottony"

Bubbles2112
04-09-2009, 3:15 PM
I had it in my tank on the wood. I took the wood out and scrubbed it completly off and then put the wood back into the aquarium. It eventually grew back. I did the same-take out wood-scrub-put back in a couple of times and then just took the wood out. I don't recall any slime growth on it when I removed the wood for the final time--I just moved things around in the tank and it no longer fit--I don't think I removed it because of the slime (it was a while ago). The coating had no effect on the fish or inverts in the tank, it just looked icky to me. I do plan on using the wood piece again in one of my new set ups as I am confident there is nothing harmful with respect to the slimey coating.

Kashta
04-09-2009, 3:25 PM
If you've boiled the piece for an hour and a half, it should be well sanitized and whatever this slime stuff is should be harmless. Some kind of resin, perhaps? It won't be anything parasitic or bacterial after being boiled that long. I can't think of any slimy minerals. I would scrub off what you can and use the wood. But test the water for a few weeks and watch inhabitants for problems.

dirtydawg10
04-09-2009, 3:27 PM
It is very common and will go away on its own. It may take a few weeks.

Star_Rider
04-09-2009, 3:35 PM
it is fungus or slime mold ,i believe..part of the decay process on submerged wood.

it is common and safe..and it will go away

Octavarium
04-10-2009, 9:02 PM
Good to know, I'll just keep it in there then since some random snails are on it now. Thanks for the reassurance guys

dirtydawg10
04-10-2009, 11:00 PM
Yup...the snails love it too.

thebrandon
04-11-2009, 2:50 AM
happened to a piece of wood I put in, my snails and shrimp loved it, they ignored it for a little while at first, the one day I noticed them eating it, then the next day it was all gone:)

stezatois
04-11-2009, 4:49 AM
heres more info on the stuff. http://waynesword.palomar.edu/slime1.htm