Powdery black stuff in my tank. What should i do?
 

Hi all,
I am new to this forum, and have come to enjoy it. I have a problem and dont know what to do? I have a 300litre tank with tetra's and Gourami's and plecos etc. Total of 38 fish. I use gravel as a substrate. I have a E-Heim Aquaball Internal Filter 650l/h and a 900l/h gutter filter which i recently converted to an External BioFilter ie. using bio-rings, charcoal and aquarium wool. This problem which i experience started prior to me converting the filter though. I notice some fine black powdery deposits on the internal filter as well lots of it on the plants and on the edges of the leaves. I conducted 3 water changes (10-20%) in the past 3 weeks, but that doesnt seem to help. What is it and what should i do? Concerned...:-(
PS. I have attached a photo of my work in progress tank. I am treating the driftwood which i intend to put in this weekend as well as add more plants.

Hi samlin, and welcome to the forum.

Can you post a clear photo of the "black stuff" on one of the plant leaves so we can see it?

Byron.

Maybe the filter is too powerful and powdered the charcoal. Ive had this happen about 3 years ago. Its not bad unless you leave it there for about a week or so. Just change all the water as soon as you can. Dont forget to take out the filter with charcoal. You could get a weaker filter or just buy a small regular one. I dont seem to be having any problems with those.