White stringy stuff on glass & rocks? (There always seems to be something wrong)

Ok so now I have some white stringy stuff hanging on the glass and rocks in my 55gal tank. I am not sure what this stuff is? I tried doing some research on here and haven't seen anything that I thought it was. I read about columnaris but this doesn't seem to be that (but I have no idea, that's why I am here!). It doesn't seem to be "worm-like" it is white stringy stuff that looks like tiny cob-web strings with white clumps stuck to it? I have been looking at all the fish in there and haven't seen any abnormal behaviour or spots on any of the fish (thank goodness).

Now the tank is overstocked, I realize that. I am diligent about doing 50% water changes every 3 days. I have found that its hard to keep the gravel clean because of poor planning on my part, the tank is full of rocks which makes it impossible to get to more than half of surface of the gravel to vacuum while cleaning.

Also I have heard that snails could leave stuff like this, in the form of egg-sacs. I do have MTS snail in the tank and have noticed them all over the glass at night when the lights go out.

Any help would be appreciated greatly. I am posting a couple pics. The first one is of them on the rocks and the second one is of them on the glass. The large white spots are what I am speaking of on the glass, its hard to get them focused on with the camera.

Thanks again.

Eric

 

I can't tell for sure what it is, but it does not appear to be snail eggs.

 

I've never seen anything like it..... hopefully someone with more knowledge will contribute their thoughts.

 

Good afternoon.

It sounds like it could be the start of white hair algae? They are attached to surfaces correct and not free floating or swimming? If they are swimming then it may be planaria.

If it's white hair algae it will eventually go away on its own. If you clean it, it will probably return until it runs its course.

White Hair Algae is common in new tanks up to a year or so. It doesn't last too awfully long though

Ken

 

it looks like hair algae but I've never seen the white kind hmmmmm

 

Ok, well hopefully that's what it is! And no it doesn't seem to be floating or swimming around. It doesn't look like its "alive" at all. I do have an albino Bristlenose Pleco in there, who is finally getting all the brown algae that over run the tank not that long ago! I have Black Hair Algae growing in my oldest tank right now and can't seem to get rid of it, only thing I have read that will get rid of it is a true Siamese Algae Eater, which I haven't found around my area yet.

I have lights on this tank 24/7, Daytime during the day and moonlight during the night. I have heard that the moonlights won't promote algae, but I've had more algae in this tank than any of the others. Has anyone had any experience with these lights before? Should I just go with no lights at all for a while and see if it goes away or just let things run there course?

Appreciate all the help as always. I wish I could buy everyone on here a beer or two!

 

how long are you running your daytime lights/ any more than 7 to 8 hrs may be promoting your algae growth, I don't think the moonlight is causing your problem.

 

Yeah the daytime lights are on for 13 hrs. So maybe I should adjust that so they aren't on as much, it just looks so much nicer when they are on. And someone is always home, or their wouldn't even be a need. But I will lower the amount of time they are on.

 

Yeah the daytime lights are on for 13 hrs. So maybe I should adjust that so they aren't on as much, it just looks so much nicer when they are on. And someone is always home, or their wouldn't even be a need. But I will lower the amount of time they are on.

yea that will help a lot they are pretty when they are on but if you have moon light I like that just as much.