View Full Version : Some of my plants look dirty. What is it?
Just Prince
08-14-2008, 4:08 AM
Some of my plants are coated in what would best be described as visually as dirt. But I know it's not dirt. It's also on my CO2 ladder. The palnst are growing great and the only part of the plant that does not look dirt is the new grow. What could this be?
NeonFlux
08-14-2008, 4:14 AM
Diatoms???
Fishy_Fun
08-14-2008, 4:27 AM
im thinking the same thing.
DAVIDFBT
08-14-2008, 1:51 PM
They are probably Diatoms, common in new tanks. I think they are really a brown type of algea that Otos love.
Most likely diatoms/brown algae, Otos love it, or just wipe off it off with your fingers.
J double R
08-14-2008, 5:03 PM
Sounds like diatoms, however, unless you have a desire to keep otos specifically, or you have had an ongoing diatom problem that appears to have no end, i will not recommend stocking your tank with them.
too many people stock with otos to get rid of diatoms, and then let the little guys starve, thinking that if there are no diatoms then the otos must be eating them all.. which just isnt true after the initial eradication.
jpappy789
08-14-2008, 5:14 PM
Sounds like diatoms, however, unless you have a desire to keep otos specifically, or you have had an ongoing diatom problem that appears to have no end, i will not recommend stocking your tank with them.
too many people stock with otos to get rid of diatoms, and then let the little guys starve, thinking that if there are no diatoms then the otos must be eating them all.. which just isnt true after the initial eradication.
:iagree:
They go away on there own eventually...no need for fish. I made that mistake before.
jmhart
08-14-2008, 5:27 PM
Oto's and SAE's are great for the planted tank and very fun to watch, but as J double R said, no fish should be kept unless you are interested in the fish itself.
Diatoms will go away after about a month. Just keep up your water changes.
Just Prince
08-14-2008, 5:33 PM
I have three Oto's. Guess I need one or two more.
jpappy789
08-14-2008, 5:38 PM
Oto's and SAE's are great for the planted tank and very fun to watch, but as J double R said, no fish should be kept unless you are interested in the fish itself.
Diatoms will go away after about a month. Just keep up your water changes.
Mine took 6 months on the 55...probably an unreasonable length for a tank but that's what happened. Of course as soon as that left GDA stepped in...can I have my diatoms back??? :grinyes:
Blueiz
08-14-2008, 5:50 PM
Another possibility is dust from your substrate especially if you have fluorite or an equivalent, or food particles.