You might be concerned if you see a strange substance in your fish tank. You might wonder if it is natural, or whether it can harm your fish. If you have ever noticed a clear, jelly like substance in your fish tank, this article is for you.
Why is There a Clear Jelly-like Substance in my Fish Tank?
The appearance of a clear jelly-like substance in your fish tank can most likely be attributed to the build up of protein and organic waste.
These substances naturally occur in water, so it is an extremely common occurrence in fish aquariums. However, the slime or algae may be unpleasant to look at or something you’d like to get rid of. It can also grow very quickly.
Luckily, you can usually remove this jelly like substance by following a couple simple steps. In this article, we’ll explore the various causes of clear jelly-like substance growth in your fish tank. Additionally, we’ll outline several steps to both remove and prevent slime or algae from growing in your aquarium.
What causes clear, jelly like substances?
The growth of clear jelly-like substances in your fish tank is completely natural and very common.
These substances can grow due to a variety of causes but are most commonly due to an excessive amount of food or a lack of proper care and maintenance in your tank. There also might not be enough water movement in your fish tank.
If you are feeding your fish too much food, the excess food will fuel algae or slime growth. This happens because the food particles break down until they are small enough to be consumed by small colonies of bacteria or slime. Once the colonies have a food source, they will grow rapidly. A build up of bacteria can also look like a white fuzzy ball.
Additionally, a lack of proper aquarium care can lead to the development of algae or slime growth. If your tank is not being properly filtered or is not chemically balanced, it may provide perfect conditions for algae or slime to thrive. It can also lead to the growth of blanket weed, especially if you have live plants.
However, it is important to note that algae or slime can still grow in well-maintained and nutritionally balanced tanks. In these cases, regular cleaning is going to be your best bet to minimize growth.
How to prevent the growth of clear jelly like substance?
If you want to keep the amount of slime or algae growing in your tank to a minimum, consistency is key. Cleaning, maintenance, and lighting are all factors you need to manage regularly in order to minimize algae or slime growth. You’ll need to be contributing some time to your tank everyday or, at minimum, every other day to yield ideal results.
Cleaning
If you are not regularly cleaning your aquarium, you are allowing the substances to build up continually. You can eliminate build-ups by regularly cleaning your aquarium. You should evaluate your tank daily, keeping an eye out for any buildup of substances.
It is a good idea to take an aquarium sponge or brush to quickly clean the inside walls of the tank every day. This does not have to be a thorough or time-consuming task – just a quick wipe-down will do. By regularly cleaning your tank, you can cut off algae or slime growth before it overtakes your tank. If you have a problem with green algae, you should check out my guide on how to get rid of green algae in a fish tank.
If you want to divvy up the cleaning responsibilities, consider getting snails or other algae-eating creatures. They will provide a natural cleaning source, and make your job much easier.
Maintenance
Staying on top of tank maintenance is a key factor in preventing any buildup of slime or algae. Keep an eye on your heater and your filters, making sure that they are properly functioning at all times.
Faulty equipment is often the cause of slime or algae buildups because the water and tank are no longer being adequately filtered and cycled. Even if there is no apparent damage or faultiness to your equipment, still make sure to check its functionality regularly.
Lighting
Lighting greatly contributes to the overall health and functionality of your aquarium. So, unsurprisingly, it can also contribute to algae or slime growth. Make sure your aquarium is getting an adequate amount of light every day, but make sure not to provide too much.
An excess of light can lead to substantial growth within your aquarium. To combat this, make sure your aquarium is only getting 8-12 hours of light per day. Make sure you are regularly turning off the light to your aquarium at night and regulating the amount of light it is getting.
Final Thoughts
Substances growing in your fish tank, though perfectly natural, can be bothersome. However, they are relatively easy to remove. Through consistency and dedication, you can achieve algae and slime-free tank. The steps to prevent the growth of these substances are very easy and simple, they just require a small contribution every day. Algae and slime can be stubborn, adaptable substances, so they can grow in many different environments. Therefore, it is important to stay on top of cleaning your tank to prevent growth regardless of the condition of your tank.