Golfer Posted August 25, 2008 Report Share Posted August 25, 2008 Newbie to hobby with 2 issues: 1. Something that looks like house dust accumulating on the gravel/plants. Greyish/brown colour it doesnt "stick" to things but moves freely when disturbed. Have vacummed but it seems to be everywhere. 2. I had an amazon sword that wasnt growing and the gravel around it was discolouring blackish/grey - the sword also had its roots system turning blackish. Any ideas on what these 2 things are and how to stop? Its a 90L tank - 2x GBA, 2 x cats, 10 x tetras and 2 cockatoos. Water change 25% weekly. TIA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted August 25, 2008 Report Share Posted August 25, 2008 Hi and welcome to the forums. How long has the tank been set up? The dust....Maybe it's over feeding, which is very easy to do. Try halving the amount you feed for a week and see if that helps. Also, check to see that your filter is up to the task. Ideally, you want it to move at least 4 times the tank volume an hour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted August 25, 2008 Report Share Posted August 25, 2008 Hello and welcome, Golfer. I have a couple of questions for you: - How long has the tank been set up? - What kind of filter are you using? My first thought is maybe the filter isn't doing its job of filtering out the particulates. It may be that your filter media is clogged, or that the filter isn't up to the task - either not powerful enough, incorrect media, or perhaps the input/output isn't pointing the right way so isn't stirring up the gunk enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted August 25, 2008 Report Share Posted August 25, 2008 As above, it sounds like there isnt enough water movement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted August 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 Tank been set up for @ 6months. Filter churning over at @ 6 times vol/hour. Problem only recent - last fn or so. Will check filters and "de-gunk" if necessary. Any ideas on gravel discoloration? Thanks for prompt replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 Hmm... I can't really picture what you mean about the gravel discolouration... photos would help if you can get some. What type of gravel is it - approximately what size is each grain of gravel? Pea size, rice size, sand size? Is there another layer of substrate under the gravel, or does the gravel go all the way down to the bottom of the tank? And can you give more detail about the discolouration? Did it vacuum off like the dust or is it stuck to the surface of the gravel? What happens when you take a bit of gravel out and rub it... is the surface slimey? Does the thing causing the discolouration come off in a sheet? More detail definitely needed before we can start speculating about what it might be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted August 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 The substrate is "autumn harvest" as per Animates. Pea sized and is @ 5cms depth with no other material. Whats happening is that in 1 section of tank the gravel is being tinted black - not slimy and doesnt really rub off. Goes thru the entire gravel layer. Also the roots of my Sword plant took on a greyish tinge. Unfortunately at back of tank so cannot really photograph. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 How odd. I really have no idea what might be causing that. I hope someone else can help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant N Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 Is anything wrapped around the roots to hold the plant down? Could metal of some sort be mixed in with gravel? That is fallen in accidently . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted August 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2008 No metal holding it down in place. Have put fert balls in place but elsewhere as well so unlikely to be that. Oh well! While I have your attention ... my school of red eye tetras (8) spends its time at the top of the tank hiding behind a plant - no obvious bullying by the male cockatoo ciclid - but not the school of flashing silver bodies I hoped for. Ideas? - they have been in tank for 2 months and where there before the ciclids. Thanks again, you guys have been v helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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