Brown sludge help

[MrJohn]

Hi

Can anyone help me identify this brown sludge in the photo? It wipes away really easily but everything in the tank is covered in it

The tank is fully cycled, been waiting for this to go away but seems to be getting worse if anything

Water parameters are:
Ph: 7.8
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0ppm

My ph is higher than I would like, could that be the cause?

Thanks
John

 

[Guyb93]

Looks like brown algae to me possible an imbalance in the tank , how long has the tank been set up

 

[Deleted member 149562]

Diatoms usually appear close to the end of the cycle process and they can take 2-3 weeks to leave on their own - but that can be helped by you if you gently wipe them off the glass each water change

You should also have some nitrates there....how long has the aquarium been running exactly?

Can you post a photo of the entire aquarium and list what is in there...plants, decor etc?

 

[MrJohn]

Looks like brown algae to me possible an imbalance in the tank , how long has the tank been set up

Thanks for replying

It’s been set up over a year now, was hoping with time things would change but it’s not going away

It’s very easy to clean off the glass and ornaments but it means I can’t have any plants without them getting coated in this ugly brown slime

 

[Deleted member 149562]

Thanks for replying

It’s been set up over a year now, was hoping with time things would change but it’s not going away

It’s very easy to clean off the glass and ornaments but it means I can’t have any plants without them getting coated in this ugly brown slime

Diatoms also appear at any given time.....often fed by overfed fish and lighting issues

Can you give your normal maintenance routine, how long the lights are on every day?

 

[MrJohn]

Thanks, photo of full tank attached

The tank is currently very sparse, I had lots of plants in it but they were so covered in this brown slime that I removed them

Ornaments: pleco cave, fake root, a couple of rocks

The lights are on a timer, on 9am until 10pm

I try to do a weekly 10% water change, very busy so sometimes it’s after two weeks. I clean the glass and scrub the ornaments

 

[Slaphppy7]

Welcome to TFF

What size is this tank? What kind of substrate is that?

 

[Deleted member 149562]

Those lights are on far too long, that is not helping matters. No more than 7 to 8 hours a day and you need some plants in there...especially floaters to help keep the lighting less stark. Artificial plants can be washed if attacked by diatoms...real plants help keep nutrients under control and help to curb the enthusiasm of diatoms.

The fish also need plants to feel secure and safe and to be able to have time out from each other...especially at night.

 

[MrJohn]

It’s 100cm by 40cm, 180 L

The substrate is Dennerle Crystal Quartz gravel

 

[MrJohn]

Those lights are on far too long, that is not helping matters. No more than 7 to 8 hours a day and you need some plants in there...especially floaters to help keep the lighting less stark. Artificial plants can be washed if attacked by diatoms...real plants help keep nutrients under control and help to curb the enthusiasm of diatoms.

The fish also need plants to feel secure and safe and to be able to have time out from each other...especially at night.

Great thanks will reduce the lighting time

I did have a lot of real plants in here but gave up on them as they became unsightly

Will take a look at some artificial plants that will withstand a scrub and some live floaters

 

[MrJohn]

Any tips for natural looking artificial plants?

 

[GaryE]

Artificial plants are algae platforms. I don't think that's where you want to go. Floaters would be better.

I used to get brown algae when my fluorescent tubes were fading, but not so anyone could see. I would change the tubes. I haven't had any since I went to LEDs. What kind of lighting do you have?

Bear in mind that 'life will out' A tank with nutrients (and your test kit readings of zero are very strange) will grow things. If not plants, then algaes.

 

[Deleted member 149562]

Any tips for natural looking artificial plants?

I use Oase and Superfish artificial plants, they are silicone and as yet (many many years) I have never had any issues with diatoms on them

I get mine from ProShrimp...they are both open to the public and online. Very good firm and have everything needed besides plants....including real plants - floaters too.

 

[MrJohn]

Thanks for the tips guys, very helpful

I'm already using LED lights. I'm confused about the water parameters too but just noticed my Nitrate and Nitrite test bottles are a couple of years out of date, will order some new ones. The ammonia bottles I replaced recently so confident that one is accurate

 

[Byron]

Reducing the light period (significantly, down to 8 hours), use a timer so it is consistent every 24 hour period. Acquire some substantial floating plants; these are easier because they ar closer to the light and they have the aerial advantage (CO2), and they will take up a lot of nutrients. Water Sprite, Water Lettuce, Frogbit are what I mean by substantial.

You have a major waste factory in the large pleco. Regular (meaning once a week) substantial (meaning 60-70% of the tank volume) water changes with a very good dig into the substrate at each. Keep the filter clean. All the brown gunk is organic stuff that feeds algae.