everything is orange

[extremebunny]

I looked in my tank and there are dark orange/brown spots on everything (filter, decorations). Is this a type of algae? I wouldn't think algae would grow because there is no sunlight ever hitting the tank.

 

[Brookster123]

Pictures? Orange is a new one for me??

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[flchamp89]

Im guessing orange is brown? Diatoms?

 

[extremebunny]

 

[flchamp89]

Looks like diatoms. Common in newer tanks.

 

[extremebunny]

tank has been going since December 10th ish?
I just read that they grow without light so you just have to keep cleaning and scrubbing them off. I have 4 catfish and they are all completely uninterested in eating it (although it takes them ages to find the regular food so I doubt they'd even find it)

 

[flchamp89]

Catfish im guessing ...cories? Regardless no wont eat them. Snails will but just manually attack during wc. They will go away. Part of the tank maturing. Not big deal unless plants get covered to the point photosynthesis can occur then just clean them.

 

[extremebunny]

So it will just die on its own? I see that now it is on the gravel too.

 

[extremebunny]

Would regular algae remover work?

 

[Brookster123]

You try squirting it with hydrogen peroxide?

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[extremebunny]

I haven't actually done any cleaning yet because while I can wash the plants, I can't clean off the gravel. I also haven't had time since I noticed this.

 

[Ironworker161]

Yes those look like diatoms, they occur in newer tanks sometimes. You can remove your plants, scrub them with tap water, then rinse them with clean treated tank water before you put them back in your tank. You may want to go ahead and do a 50% water change also.

 

[extremebunny]

I did scrub off the plants a little while ago and I hope it won't grow back.

 

[extremebunny]

I just treated the tank with algae remover that says that it works on diatoms.

 

[JoshWithGuppies]

Yes this happened to my tank. It was 2 weeks old and I took out the items and scrubbed them free from the stuff. I did a PWC and in about two weeks it was completely gone. I had the stuff all over the fake plants and gravel. I have not encountered any since.

 

[flchamp89]

You do not need to treat for diatoms. Just keep up with your maintenance. If they become heavy on your plants a tooth brush works well. They will go away may last couple weeks may last couple months. Nothing to be overly concerned with.