Brown stuff on my substrate and LR

[Sharkbait430]

Ok so I need your help! On Thursday there was nothing but overnight into Friday afternoon I noticed that some parts of the substrate and some of the LR has this brownish-coppery colored stuff on it. Please let me know what it could be and if its bad. We put our first and only fish in the tank on Thursday. I dont know if this is due to him. I checked the levels of the tank and everything is good except the nitrates are a bit high.

 

[HN1]

It's most likely diatoms. The variety of colors that you'll be seeing in a new setup is amazing. IME, they are normal and natural phases of your tank maturing.

 

[Sharkbait430]

Ok good, I got a little worried there for a minute. Thanks HN1, I will be posting pictures as soon as I get them uploaded.

 

[melosu58]

I agree it`s probably diatoms. They will burn themselves out.

 

[InfernoST]

Does CUC take care of Diatoms?

 

[roka64]

Some do but I can't recall what does, but time is cheaper and a guarantee!

 

[HN1]

What roka said! If you add animals to take care of a problem, you always have to think about how to keep them when the problem is gone.

 

[Sharkbait430]

I agree it`s probably diatoms. They will burn themselves out.

What do you mean they will burn themselves out?

 

[Speakerman]

What do you mean they will burn themselves out?

diatoms thrive on nutrients in your maturing tank, once they consume everything, they will stop reproducing, at that point you can simply swish them around and your skimmer will pick them up.

 

[Sharkbait430]

great thank you! I want them out!!

 

[HN1]

Someone posted this awhile back and I found it interesting and bookmarked it. It's pretty lengthy and in depth.

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