[TankDemon]

I have a 20 gallon tank which has been established for about a year. about 3 months ago, I went on a trip and used the Tetra Weekend Gel Formula feeder. After returning, I removed the remaining gel feeder and did a 50% water change - about 3 days later, this white algae began to show up in small clumps around the tank. It is an interesting bugger because it moves and expands and shrinks. In addition, it seems to expand when the lights are off - rather than when they are on.

I have searched for answers in multiple places without success. I visited my local aquarium expert and he suggested I visit this site as he has seen this before, but could not identify the species of algae nor a proper treatment - other than hydrogen peroxide.

Please let me know what type of algae you see in the picture / and advice on how to get rid of it.

 

[Zhylis]

Congrats! You've got slime mold. They're an oddball critter/thing, not an algae but they are harmless though. And yes they move. They'll disappear after whatever nutrient they're eating is fully consumed.

 

[TankDemon]

Originally I thought it might be a mold, but I do weekly water changes 25% - 50%. It just seems weird that it has stuck around for over 3 months. I was leaning towards the algae simply because of its spidery growth look.

 

[jeffkrol]

Originally I thought it might be a mold, but I do weekly water changes 25% - 50%. It just seems weird that it has stuck around for over 3 months. I was leaning towards the algae simply because of its spidery growth look.

Fun with slime...

Slime Mold Photos

 

[alcimedes]

what did you use for your substrate?

 

[TankDemon]

I used sand as the substrate.

 

[dzega]

looks cool.
and yes, its not an algea if its white. white means it is not absorbing light, meaning not doing photosynhesis.
looks like fungus of some type.

speaking of algae i see BBA on your plants and possibly diatoms aswell

 

[Dannyul]

I have never actually seen this before but it looks rather... nice. But yeah, it's definitely 100% not an algae.

 

[alcimedes]

interesting. usually slime molds grow on rotting wood. I can't say as I've ever heard of one growing on sand. That's pretty awesome!

 

[touch of sky]

Have you tried doing gravel vacs to suck it out of the tank?

 

[Nordic]

I would also say that looks more like a fungus.

 

[randym]

Fun with slime...

Slime Mold Photos

That does look like it.

Wow, I kinda wish I had slime mold. It looks cool.

 

[OrangeAugust]

Fun with slime...

Slime Mold Photos

So fascinating!