richnyc

Ok here's the deal. A friend of mine was going to flush an red oscar down the toilet and I decided to take the responsiblity since I had aquarium equippedment. After I set up the 10 gallon tank I immediately put the Oscar in ( I know im not supposed to but I had him in a bucket). After I thought I had a successful set up I noticed that the tank had red bacteria on the glass and all over the decorations. I have it the temp correct and the water levels seem to be fine. Im going to do a complete cycle but can anyone tell me what this is. It almost looks like ink or some kind of rust color and it just appear suddenly. I know Oscars belong in bigger tanks but this is just temp until I can upgrade to a bigger tank. He is about 2inches now. Thanks --

Tony G.

is there any way you could upload a picture of what it looks like? Congrats on the r escue, and make sure you can get him a bigger home asap ok?

joy1125

great thing you did on the rescue !

a few questions. Are you experienced with fishkeeping? The reason I ask, is because you had the aquarium equipment, and I want to avoid telling you things you already know.

if you're new at this, please tell us, that way we can give you all the details you'll need to know in order to get a good start in taking care of your new oscar.

When you set up the tank, did you use any detergents to clean it, or did you just rinse it with water ? Also, did you use a dechlorinator?

I can't imagine what the red stuff is, and why it would suddenly appear ?

Can you take out some of the decor that has the red stuff on it, and examine it under a light? See if it wipes off easily, and feel the texture of it.

Could it be old brown algae that was stuck on the tank from when you last drained it? ? ?

richnyc

It does wipe off very easy. Its like a gel type texture or goo. I also noticed that its on the actual filter -- I have little experience-- but I do know how to cycle an aquarium and the temperature seems fine -- im going to do a 75% water change and clean the bacteria off -- maybe i can take a pic and post it -- its on all the decors , glass and on the filter --

joy1125

glad you posted back! I was wondering where you went.....lol

just remember not to use any soaps or detergents !!! Just rinse it really good with water, then refill using dechlorinated water.

Here's a little refresher regarding the nitrogen cycle.
http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

In a nutshell, fish waste and food introduce ammonia into the tank, which is extremely toxic to fish. Over time, beneficial bacteria develop that turn ammonia into toxic nitrite, then into nitrate. Once the cycle is complete, sufficient good bacteria are present which feed off the ammonia, maintaining a safe environment for the fish (this is called the biofilter).

In the meantime, you'll need to detoxify the ammonia, so not to harm the fish. I suggest using a product called Prime, it's a dechlorinator that also detoxes ammonia and nitrite. But you'll still have to do large 50percent water changes daily, until the cycle completes, which can take a month or longer.

If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask, we'll all be happy to help !

richnyc

Ok.. good news and bad news -- i posted the pics below -- the slime isnt redish --its more like a forest green... The bad news is that I still dont know what it is.. i cleaned the tank with no detergent or any chemicals and did a water change-- thoroughly cleaned the decors so hopefully that will do ..check out the pics below to take a look at what im talking about

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aquarist48

Good morning and Welcome to Fish Lore. Congrats on the rescue. It could be Spot Algae. I'm sure you'll get some more responses as well. It may not look to pleasant right now but it should come off with an algae scraper or some type of rough cloth. I don't think you have anything to worry about. Keep us posted on your progress please.
Ken