Brown Stuff Growing In Tank?

[AquaticHamster]

For the past few months I've noticed this icky brown stuff growing on the sides of my tank. It got better for a little while, but just recently it came back really bad and covered pretty much everything in brown muck. It looks like algae except its brown. I usually scrub it off the tank glass with an old toothbrush. I had an otocinclous but he wouldn't eat it. Does anyone else have this in their tanks? Is it common? Dangerous to fish? Is there any way to get rid of it? My friend also has a slight case of it in her tanks. Im getting really frustrated because it won't go away. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[thereverendturtle]

Diatom algae. Not harmful, just means you have phosphates, again not dangerous. How long do you leave your lights on for?

 

[Steve H.]

I am struggling with the same problem right now, but not so bad. Just a little on the glass in spots, and on the substrate. Sounds like Diatom Brown Algae. Comes off easy enough, and is common in recently cycled tanks. It is from silicates and ammonia, and will clear up after some time.

www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm

This is a good site to check and see if it is in fact Diatom.

 

[SaTiVa1984]

This usually occurs with a new setup, it can continue for a while usually a month or so, like steve said it is from silicates and ammonia, once your tank is running for a while and its fully cycled, the brown algae will die off and stop appearing.

 

[Steve H.]

I am struggling with the same problem right now, but not so bad. Just a little on the glass in spots, and on the substrate. Sounds like Diatom Brown Algae. Comes off easy enough, and is common in recently cycled tanks. It is from silicates and ammonia, and will clear up after some time.

www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm

This is a good site to check and see if it is in fact Diatom.

At the risk of sounding dumb I found some more info because I had to research to find out what exactly silicates were???
I found that silicates are simply minerals natural to the earth.
Also, I found that this algae forms not only because of ammonia and silicates, but also inadequate lighting or low oxygen levels can also contribute to the development of this particular strain.

This made me think about your issue with it. I have only had this issue for a couple of weeks, and my tank recently cycled just over a month ago.
But, you state you have been dealing with this algae for months. It could be your water. If you are on a well system you may have a high mineral content(hence silicates). This might be the source of your issue.
The recommendations I found in that case are more frequent water changes, or mixing your tap water with RO water.

Good luck!

 

[AquaticHamster]

I actually use spring water from the store, so it cant be the water. I have live plants and a good filter that puts oxygen into the tank so thats not it either. My tank is overall healthy. Its been cycled since September of last year. I leave the lighting on usually all day until the time I go to bed, as I heard its supposed to be on for like 12 hours each day. Is this wrong?

The stuff us just si gross and gives my tank a disgusting unhealthy appearance. I just cleaned it the other day.

Thanks for the advice.

This usually occurs with a new setup, it can continue for a while usually a month or so, like steve said it is from silicates and ammonia, once your tank is running for a while and its fully cycled, the brown algae will die off and stop appearing.

Tanks been cycled since September.

 

[Steve H.]

I actually use spring water from the store, so it cant be the water. I have live plants and a good filter that puts oxygen into the tank so thats not it either. My tank is overall healthy. Its been cycled since September of last year. I leave the lighting on usually all day until the time I go to bed, as I heard its supposed to be on for like 12 hours each day. Is this wrong?

The stuff us just si gross and gives my tank a disgusting unhealthy appearance. I just cleaned it the other day.

Thanks for the advice.

Hmmm.....not sure then::$
Did you check that site to see if it is in fact Diatom?
This usually occurs with a new setup, it can continue for a while usually a month or so, like steve said it is from silicates and ammonia, once your tank is running for a while and its fully cycled, the brown algae will die off and stop appearing.

Tanks been cycled since September.

 

[Steve H.]

I actually use spring water from the store, so it cant be the water. I have live plants and a good filter that puts oxygen into the tank so thats not it either. My tank is overall healthy. Its bepen cycled since September of last year. I leave the lighting on usually all day until the time I go to bed, as I heard its supposed to be on for like 12 hours each day. Is this wrong?

The stuff us just si gross and gives my tank a disgusting unhealthy appearance. I just cleaned it the other day.

Thanks for the advice.

Hmmm.....not sure then::$
Did you check that site to see if it is in fact Diatom?
This usually occurs with a new setup, it can continue for a while usually a month or so, like steve said it is from silicates and ammonia, once your tank is running for a while and its fully cycled, the brown algae will die off and stop appearing.

Tanks been cycled since September.

Hmmm....I'm not sure then??? Did you check the website to see if it is Diatom?
There are a lot of maybe's in your situation...

But the water you are using does have minerals in it. Spring water does "spring" up from under ground source carrying the minerals with it.
12 hours of light might be too long, but I'm not sure. My lights are on only 8 hours and I still have it.

I know what you mean about making the tank ugly looking. Pretty frustrating

How fast does yours grow back? Mine does not grow back that fast. I cleans on Sunday and I only have some small patches on the substrate and rocks, but nowhere else.