Brown Tinge On Tropical Tank Ornaments ?

[JohnBull]

Hi,


My tank is now 6 weeks old and running fine since the fishless cycle. I do water changes twice a week, plus a regular water check,tank is clean and healthy,as are the fish. However,there is a brown tinge that has slowly been gathering on my imitation rock and plastic ornaments,also,I can see a similar brown stain about 2-3cm deep in the gravel subtrate at the front of the tank where it meets the glass.

What is it ?



John.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

It's called diatoms (or brown algae).

It forms as there are trace ammounts of ammonia in the water - perfectly normal in a newly set up tank

 

[JohnBull]

Hi,

I see.

Do we just leave it,or is it advisable to remove the stuff next time we do a big tank clean ?



John.

 

[ZoddyZod]

Hi,

I see.

Do we just leave it,or is it advisable to remove the stuff next time we do a big tank clean ?



John.

Let the tank settle down for a few months and see what happens. If you clean it now it may well come back in a few days, depending on how 'new' the tank set-up is.

 

[JohnBull]

I will take your advice. BTW,would adding a couple of small algea eating fish help ?


If so,what type of fish would suite a 180 ltr community tank ?



John.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I will take your advice. BTW,would adding a couple of small algea eating fish help ?


If so,what type of fish would suite a 180 ltr community tank ?



John.

If you get algae eating fish you need to make sure yuo give them sufficient additional food.

The best thing is to just clean it yourself.

 

[ZoddyZod]

I will take your advice. BTW,would adding a couple of small algea eating fish help ?


If so,what type of fish would suite a 180 ltr community tank ?

John.

it will help but although they will eat algae, that will not form their entire diet and you will need to provide them with specific food.

Bristlenose plecs will hoover up brown diatoms and stay small (under 5"). Feed them algae wafers and a variety of vegetables can be used - cucumber, lettuce, peppers, peas, broccoli, etc.....they like it all.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Had diatoms in all my tank and its gone on its own after 10 weeks or so