New 44g tank. Wood is developing white fuzzy stuff. . Should I be concerned about a bacteria?

Question

My tank is 1 week old- have had 2 dwarf gouramis for4 days. I treated the water with "Aquaplus" when I filled tank, also added "Cycle". Added 1/2 recomended dosage of "Plantgro" as well.Noticed the white cottony looking stuff yesterday on the wood only (which was purchased at the pet store) I have 5 real plants and 44w of floresent lighting if that would make any difference.

I soaked the wood in water before adding to tank to avoid discoloration of my aquarium water. How else should I have treated it?

Answer 1

The white fuzzy stuff you are seeing is most likely mold. It's not too uncommon as the mold spores can get embedded in the wood and even a good washing won't reach all of the little cracks and crevasses to remove it all.

It is possible as well that it is a fungus, but this is less common that mold in this case and is especially true as you have a fairly new tank.

In either case it's harmless and will eventually disappear on it's own, however you can help it along by wiping it off and removing the growth during water changes.

MM

Answer 2

What kind of wood is it? Your tank is a very young tank and has yet to complete its cycling.

Quite often after driftwood is added to an aquarium, a white almost transparent fuzz will grow on it. This fuzz can appear several weeks to several months after the driftwood is added to the aquarium. Popular thinking is this fuzz is either a fungus or a mold. Either way it's harmless, unfortunately it's not pleasing to look at. Some people have had luck just brushing it off. Others have had luck by introducing algae eating fish, as they will actually eat it. Neither technique will guarantee preventing this fuzz from recurring. The important thing is to have faith, as it will eventually disappear.

Did you prepare your wood prior to placing it into the tank?

Answer 3

It is perfectly fine/natural for there to be white fuzzy stuff which looks kind of like mold. It grows there when wood is first introduced to the tank. the only way i know to get rid of it is to get fish which eat it. My platys did a wonderful job of cleaning the wood in my plant tank. Also be aware that adding wood to your water does change the water levels so check them often and don't let the levels get out of hand.