Looks like Rust?

Boohoo

Boohoo

AC Members
Feb 22, 2005
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Bridgewater,Nova Scotia
I know a picture would be in order but at the moment that isn't going to happen. For the last maybe two weeks I have noticed something that looks like rust forming on a fake plant and a decoration in my 10g. It started small and seems to be spreading across the surface. My tank is just wrapping up a fishy cycle. Tank has been running with fish for just over 7 weeks.This is the 4th day Nitrites were at 0.
Ammonia-0
Nitrites-0
Nitrates-5-10ppm
PH 7.0

I have 3 real plants as well and I am keeping my lights on for about 10-12 hours a day. No direct sunlight. Could this be some type of algea? Any suggestions?
 
It could be diatom algae. See if it looks like the Brown Algae listed in this article. If so, it's pretty common to newer tanks and the article also describes how to treat it. Good luck.
 
Yep! That looks like what it is. The article says to increase light. As I stated before, I have my light on about 10-12 hours a day. Should I keep it on longer? Is this type of algea more common in a new aquarium?
 
Boohoo said:
Yep! That looks like what it is. The article says to increase light. As I stated before, I have my light on about 10-12 hours a day. Should I keep it on longer? Is this type of algea more common in a new aquarium?
Click to expand...
Yes, as I said above, "it's pretty common to newer tanks."

You can remove it easily with an algae scrubber or even a wet rag (please make sure the rag is clean, for tank use only and not washed in harsh detergents as well as pre soaked and wrung out two or three times in tank water you have removed from the tank). As a tank matures it sort of corrects itself.
 
Just hang in there and keep wiping the stuff off. It will go away sooner or later. Mine seemed to get really bad about 2-3 months after I set up my aquarium. Now, at about 5 months, it's all gone. Also, make sure you don't overfeed your fish. That's a common problem for new people because the fish always seem hungry. I don't know if that affects the diatoms, but they seemed to clear up as I reduced the food, which also reduced the fish waste.
 
I have a black mystery snail in my goldfish tank so I thought I'd put him in my tropical tank that has the brown algea. I put him in Friday night and he has been busy working ever since. One of my rock like decorations was covered quite a bit and he has it cleaned off that it is white again. :)
 
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