Question: White stuff on driftwood?

[JamieOleBoy]

My tank is mid cycle and I have this white stuff on the driftwood. I'm tempted to take it out but wanted to know what everyone might have to say about it? Is it beneficial?

 

[Smoxolotl]

Something similar debated here http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...eneral-discussion/96635-help-weird-algae.html

 

[JamieOleBoy]

Thanks for chiming in. Seems like an open topic but I've decided to take it out today. I don't like the particles floating around in the aquarium

 

[JoshBA]

My tank is mid cycle and I have this white stuff on the driftwood. I'm tempted to take it out but wanted to know what everyone might have to say about it? Is it beneficial?

The white stuff on the driftwood is just fungus decomposing the external parts of the wood. This is often what happens to wood soon after it is placed in the tank. After a while, however, the fungus will disappear, when that part/surface of the wood is fully decomposed, or when bacteria and other microorganisms have established themselves enough to compete with it for the 'food' source. So in a sense, it is very beneficial for your tank.

Another remedy (apart from time) is boiling the wood, which will kill the fungus, but it won't necessarily prevent fungus from establishing itself once placed back in the tank. Scrubbing the wood may also help remove any loose parts that would decompose easily in the aquarium.