Brown Yucky stuff

sweethoneyjlp86

AC Members
Jan 24, 2006
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I know that I have brown stuff on my tank. It is on the plants and gavel and on my rocks. I can't think of what it is right now, but I will remember it later. What causes this brown stuff and what can I do to get rid of it? I clean it off, but it comes back. Thanks for the help
 
Well if you are thinking it is algae you are probably wrong. From your description it sounds like cynobacteria. (Is it goopy and thick?)

There are medications for it out there as well as blackouts but before we can tell you what to do, do you think you can describe it a little more fully? thanks :)
 
how can we tell anything from "brown stuff". Personally i have had browny cyno.
 
jwddboy said:
how can we tell anything from "brown stuff". Personally i have had browny cyno.

Most of the time "brown Stuff" in a freshwater tank is diatoms. Cyanobacteria (Oscillitoria Splendens) is usually blue/green, not brown.

To ask you the same question how can you tell it's Cyanobacteria from "brown stuff"?
 
Ok, it looks like brown algae. I can't really explain it. It is all over the plants, rock, and gravel. There is even some on the tank itself. I think it is diatoms, but I am not sure.
 
Limit the amount of light on the tank.

Increase your water change frequency/ amount of water changed. Nitrate gives it something to feed on & water changes are the only way to reduce nitrate.
 
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