orange-rust color on base rock

[mushaney]

I have a 75 gallon saltwater tank that is 6 weeks old just starting . cycled my tank for 1 month before added 3 blue chromis 10 blue leg hermit and 10 snails and now have this orange rust color on my base rock inside of tank walls on my sand i have never used tap water i have a r.o. in my house i have tested my r.o. and its below 10 ppm new filters and all i have done saltwater before and not seen this my levels are all fine let me know if you know so i can learn more

 

[Sadielynn]

Sounds like a diatom bloom . Common for new tanks ,while the biological levels start to grow and level off .. It is normal and will go away on its own , to help it along you can do your water changes of 10%-25% weekly and usually it will decline in a couple to few weeks ... It will respond to the nutrient levels in your water it is normal

 

[melosu58]

I agree that it does sound like diatom.

 

[roka64]

Agreed, it will burn out shortly.

 

[Salttanker]

I agree. The brown rust colored stuff is typically diatom blooms. One thing that I have learned over the years is don't stir it up, and let it die on its own. I agree that water changes will help reduce diatoms as well. Make sure water flow is as strong as it needs to be (75x10=750gph). HTH

Regards,

Mike