Is This Safe?

[Yanks15]

My tank has been maturing nicely for a few months and I'm just making sure that what I see is ok. I've had tanks in the past and don't remember having an algae this color. Seems to be a deep red to black, not green at all. All water stats are perfect and the fish are acting normal. They seem to graze on it every now and then. Does not appear to be very fuzzy although the fish might be eating off. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[ColR1948]

Looks like Brown Algae, I think it is caused by too little light and a lot of nutrients and possibly little oxygen, it will vacuum of with a gravel vac and increase the lighting, how big is your tank you could add a Plec to eat it but they do grow big so think about that bit.

 

[zain611]

Is that artificial rocks? it could be the colours wearing away

 

[Yanks15]

ColR- It's the 55gal Mbuna tank. Lights stay on approx. 10hrs. Doesn't seem to come off with vac. Just did a WC and no go. I've read that brown algae usually occurs in new tanks and can appear with too frequent water changes. I do WC's once a week and it's been up and running for a few months. One site I found said it's caused by silica in the water. Not sure what to do about that. if anything. I don't mind the way it looks.

zain- No. Real lace rock.


Thanks,
Steve

 

[ColR1948]

Is it possible to take a small piece out and test it just in case, did you buy it from a shop or did you find it somewhere?

I admit it does give a nice effect, if it turns out to be safe and it doesn't become a problem then leave it.

 

[Yanks15]

I can take some out, I just don't know what to test it for.....or how. I could take a piece to the same place that I bought the rock from. They seem to be the best LFS I have.


Thanks,
Steve