How do I get rid of the white slimy stuff floating in my tank?

Question
QUESTION: I've had this tank for about a year.  I used it for African cichlids and now I have discus.  I have a problem with this slimy white/clear algae/fungus growing all over the tank.  on the decorations, glass, plastic tubes, overflow box, sump, everywhere.

Before I put discus fish in, i emptied the tank, dried it.  But I didn't dry out the wet/dry filter coz I don't want to go through the cycling process again.  Put the water in.  Put some fishes and tested it.  And now I have 10 discus in the tank and the problem came back.  How do I get rid of it?

ANSWER: Hi Pye,
 Hmmm... that is very intriguing. I haven't seen that stuff in a long time. I believe it is
technically a slime mold. Are you doing regular partial water changes?  You should be changing 25% of the water once a week, every week. That will help.  Be sure that you vaccuum the gravel when you do water changes.  Have you been doing that?   Basically, the slime mold needs nutrients to feed upon and if you remove those nutrients, it will disappear.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,

Thanks for the answer.  I do about 30% water change every 3-4 days.  And its a bare bottom tank.  There's nth but discus fish and a driftwood.  Is there any sort of medication to get rid of it?  

I also have like tiny bubbles in the water that make the tank kind da look cloudy.  Any idea how to get rid of them?

I'll keep doing the regular water change and keep you posted.  And thanks again...

Pye

Answer
Hi Pye,
 Did you by any chance use local driftwood, i.e., collect it yourself?  

 I don't know of any medication that will treat slime molds. Reducing their nutrient supply
is the best way to go.   Be sure that you are not overfeeding your fish, i.e. only feed what they eat right away.

 The tiny bubbles are likely clumps of bacteria.  I use a product called Accu-clear for this.
You treat the tank for several days before you notice any difference.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>