"Gunk" on my live plants and ornaments

[BellycrawlerJaws]

So as of late, I've noticed what looks like either debris or algae or gunk coating certain plants and items in my 20 gallon planted tank. This has never happened before I went planted and was curious what this is.

Thoughts? I cleaned most of it off in a water change yesterday

 

[BellycrawlerJaws]

Ps I removed the plant that was being eaten or dying in that 2nd pic

 

[BigFishMommy]

looks to me like a combination of detritus (the light coloured gunk) and diatoms (the brown smooth coating on things). increase your tank maintenance and water changes and feed a bit less. as for the diatoms, they are common in a new tank setup and should go away in time unless your water contains a lot of silicates.

 

[BellycrawlerJaws]

Im not worried about the diatoms, just the gunk, so I'm going to feed less, and fast them for today too

 

[ballinouttacntrol]

Im not worried about the diatoms, just the gunk, so I'm going to feed less, and fast them for today too

the key was really more water changes, not necessarly less food.

 

[BellycrawlerJaws]

I'll up the ante, but interestingly enough I do 40-50% changes weekly. I'll just do little ones in between too. Also running an AQ 30, AQ 20, and a sponge filter. But that's fine

 

[BellycrawlerJaws]

Rinsed one of my filters (in dirty tank water no worries) that was due to be cleaned on this WC, it was absolutely FILTHY with plant debris. One day later, the tank looks infinitely better, though there is still a little gunk, but not a lot.