Brown covering

[asboss]

Hi, I am new to aquatics and have had a Fluval Edge 23ltr for almost a month, added 5 neon tetras at the weekend and they seem to be fine.I did a fishless cycle and tests on the water seem fine.
I have just noticed a brown covering on the ornament and on the rocks under the filter, is this normal and is this algea??
I have been doing a 20/25% water change every week and add the additives required.
Regards

 

[Mouth-Brooder-Fanatic]

its most likely algae and is easily removed. or its dirt etc from the waste or substrate that dont quite get sucked up, try siphoning it and if it doesnt move then its algae.
harmless, caused by plenty of (or too much) light and excess unused nitrogen etc that plants in the tank or fish havnt used.

 

[BillD]

Sounds like a diatom bloom, which is normal in newly set up tanks. It usually goes away on it's own, but oto cats will devour it. If you want you can remove the rocks and ornaments and manually remove it.

 

[asboss]

Cheers guys, I will clean them on the next water change