Brown Gunk Question

[Kairi]

my 10 gallon tank is finally cycling *yay!* however now i'm noticing brown crud on the plants, and castles in there. what is it? is it from the bacteria growing? can i take it out and clean it? it grows in the betta tank too, but i clean it once a week (and it grows back- a never ending cycle). what is it from? is it harmful?

 

[tttnjfttt]

It sounds like brown algae. Try increasing the light in your tank, that should help.

Here is a good pinned article on algae, it has lots of good info in it. http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=95077

 

[Trance2006]

Diatom, I would lock the aquarium fromlight for a few days, also in some cases leaving the light on a bit longer helps. But I never have had success with the latter.