question about cyanobacteria and plants

Bravofleet4

AC Members
Dec 27, 2006
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Hey guys,

I've been noticing these sort of tannish but clear looking spots that don't come off easily on the glass of my fish tank. Up close I guess they look a little bit like bacteria colonies. Could this be cyanobacteria? I'm thinking I need to do more water changes to reduce the nitrate levels (which I just found out are a little high).

Also I'm hoping to get this answered as well but it may not be related at all to my original question. My anubias nana leaves in the same tank look as if they were covered a little with brown algae but I've realized that this is actually the leaves themselves. Is this just a sign of excess phosphates in my water?
 
If it's tan, it's probably diatoms which are caused by excess silicates. Very common in new glass tanks. Just keep cleaning it off and eventually it will disappear. Cyanobacteria is a blue-green color and much worse.
 
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