brown rust-colored mold growing in tank

[little_fish_gal]

Hi...we have a 6 gallon tank with a betta, two orange glowlights, and a cory cat. They all seem to be doing well right now. The tank is nearing two months of use and we've just noticed recently a brownish rust-like mold/powder forming on the plastic plants and other objects in the tank. We have this charcoal filter cartridge that we change every 4 weeks and a bio wheel as well. Does anybody know what this is? Do we need to trat the water, or will is resolve itself? Thanks if you can help!

little_fishy_gal

 

[tstenback]

Hi and to the forum.

Is this stuff slimy and can you wipe it off with your fingers? If it is then it is probably brown algae and it usually comes around during the first few months of a tank. It will normally go away by itself but if it stays around for a while you can just clean the palnts off and other stuff by wiping them clean and then putting them back in. Another cause for brown algae is low light and of course that can be rectified by increasing the amoount of light in the tank. HTH