thin brown slime over gravel and decors.

[amitnarain]

thin brown slime over gravel and decors.

what is that? algae?it is extremely thin and like a slime. i also 'sticks' on the substrate (gravel) and decors.

 

[rich311k]

It is diatoms. It is common in new tanks. Just wipe it off. It will go away as the tank ages.

 

[flipz]

yup, agreed.

also, if you have the light on a lot, try keeping it on less. say maybe only 6-8 hours a day. also if you have the tank where direct sunlight hits it, you will never be able to get it to go away.

the only option right now though is to just clean it off like rich said.

 

[amitnarain]

can diatoms be harmfl to the fish?

does it affect water quality?

is it a sign of a cycling tank?

is it beneficial anyhow?

 

[mr86mister]

in order:

No

Only affects if there is an extreme amount

Yes(new tank)

If you have otto's to clean it up they will be nice and fat and healthy

HTH

 

[amitnarain]

i have corys. will they do?

 

[mr86mister]

nope, they just eat remaining food that has made it to the bottom of the aquarium...they will not eat algae

 

[amitnarain]

okie