white feathery plant?

Question
I have a 100 gallon tank with 2 medium oscars.  The tank has a high nitrate level.  I have begun changing the water every day to get the nitrate level down.  Small feathery white plants with small white dots within them began to sprout up attaching themselves to gravel, sides, plastic plants.  What do I have going on?  The oscars have also become very lethargic.  They are not eating aggressively like they use to. Thanks.

Answer
Hi Merv:  Sounds like you have a white algae issue.  Try reducing the light and adding some live plants to the water.  The light reduction will help control the algae and the live plants will help take the nitrate out of the water.  Nitrate is not as bad for fish as everyone seems to make it out to be.  The Oscars are probably lethargic because of the water changes. If you have not changed your filter media this would be a good time to as well.  If you are using carbon...it is only active for about a month and after that its ability to absorb is reduced.  There is a product called algaefix which I have used in the past to control algae as well and it works just fine.  I have used with fry in the tank with no loss of fish or plants.  keep me posted... dave