Whats this brown stuff on my sand and rock?

[Rich440]

Ya all over the place
Sorry for the terrible pics

 

[Sniperhank]

Diatoms. Feeds off silicates in the sand. It'll burn off on its own.

 

[Rich440]

Ya I thought that was what it was
Any idea how long that takes to burn off cause it sure isn't pretty
It even on some of my rocks

 

[Sniperhank]

Depends. It is just a dusting right? If it forms a sheet and can be blown around it is cyano...still appears to be diatoms though.

 

[Rich440]

It's just splotchy but it's all over the place and take the look of the tank away

 

[Stlrockguy]

You should see my diatom outbreak. It is horrible and there's really nothing I can do other then wait it out

 

[Rich440]

I feel ya man
It sucks
But it will eventually get better and the tank will look great

 

[Stlrockguy]

It looks good now other then the sandbed.

 

[FishyUser]

It looks good now other then the sandbed.

I am cycling my tank and diatoms are everywhere! But I have finally reached the end of the cycle and hopefully they leave.

 

[carey]

I set up my 180g about 3-4 weeks ago and had awful diatoms but mine are almost gone now....so it does take a few weeks. i also had some cerith and nerite snails I moved over to the tank and they eat them up so I had a little help. lol

 

[Stlrockguy]

Some of my diatoms. Goes completely across my tank like that

 

[Abno10]

Its dinoflagellates,a night mare to get rid of,it will take over your tank.
Make sure you are using rodi water for top off,keep light schedule to about 7 hrs.
Other than that black out the tank for 3 days,this stuff will also kill snails if they eat it,that's why they stay away from this stuff.