Brown Stuff

[Scunny]

hey guys, yet another question. I have a 55litre tank, and in it i have 4 bronze corys, 9 Zebra Danios, and Samson the Betta. All these are healthy, and active. However, some of the gravel in certain places are turning partialy brown, and the same brown substance is on my ornaments and plants (fake). Just looking for general advice on what this could be? is it harmful to my fish? am i doing something wrong? all help appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Teelie]

Diatoms, aka brown algae. It usually shows up in new tanks or new set ups and will go away on it's own in time. Depending on who you ask, more lighting, less food and patience will do the trick. Some snails and shrimp feed off of diatoms but they won't be able to remove it completely on their own. It's completely harmless and natural, it just looks kind of unattractive.

 

[Scunny]

I've taken some pictures, could you please look at them and then confirm what you said. Thankyou

 

[Teelie]

Almost no doubt it is diatoms. I've gotten them in nearly every single tank I've owned. Eight tanks so far. If the aquarium itself is new, you might have them for a few months as they feed off of residue from the siliconning process or something like that.

 

[Scunny]

anyway to get rid of it? will my bronze corys eat it?

 

[Teelie]

Cories won't eat it. Some fish do but the best way to remove it is to simply wipe it off. It's kind of slimey feeling but it rubs off easy and will go away on its own. Try increasing the light but not too much or you'll end up with green algae. After about 3-6 months, it will go away all by itself and you shouldn't have to deal with it again.

 

[Scunny]

should i remove the gravel with it on (theres not too much with it on) and replace it?

 

[Teelie]

No, it will eventually go away on its own and removing the gravel won't help or hurt the situation. Eventually the stuff will just go away or come out with a gravel vac.

 

[Scunny]

Thanks alot, its nice to get advice, but its even nicer to get advice within 15mins of asking the question

 

[Teelie]

I'm not usually up this early in the morning but glad I could help. I remember my first tank was practically wall-to-wall with the stuff and it was a total nightmare.