Rust/decay Inside The Tank?! [with Photos]

[eBenZo]

Here are some photos of whats happening:

Basically it started appearing after my granddad, who's just arrived from China, started crushing some of the flakes so the food would fall, allowing the tetras something to eat. Otherwise, the platies would hog all the food.

I will to a gravel/ornament clean on the weekend...before I get some new platies .

What could it be?

 

[Corleone]

It's brown algae. It's fairly normal in new tanks, since it thrives on silicates that leach out of the seals. It will usually go away on its own in a couple months at worst, and it's easy to clean off of smooth surfaces. A lot of algae eating fish won't touch it, but otos love the stuff more than anything.

 

[fergalthefish]

i agree it looks like algae to me, all tanks must have this at some point, mine certainly does. some of my fish pick at it for food so nothing to worry about.

 

[Colin_T]

Do a gravel clean and it will get mixed up and won't be as noticeable. It's completely normal and if you want it gone completely then add some live plants or reduce the lighting.

 

[eBenZo]

Will Otos deal with green algae as well then?
I'm starting to see some of that as well!

Live plants are beneficial for the tank?

 

[Corleone]

They will eat green algae. I think hair algae is the only thing they won't take care of. The tank won't produce enough to feed them, of course. Mine go for zucchini, lettuce, and sometimes cucumber.

Live plants are very beneficial, provided you don't have fish that will uproot, eat, or otherwise destroy them. They'll use ammonia from the water, effectively becoming a part of your biofilter, and they'll usually out compete most algae for nutrients in the water.

 

[gaz gun man]

Do a gravel clean and it will get mixed up and won't be as noticeable. It's completely normal and if you want it gone completely then add some live plants or reduce the lighting.

I'm pretty sure brown algae is not dependant on light for it to flourish