dirty gravel

[barclay]

Hi can anyone help. I have had my tank up and running for a while now, everything is ok except that my gravel has started to change colour in certain places. it is going a brown colour. Why? I try to keep the tank clean, the filter is working properly and i have an algae eater in my tank. What can i do to stop it and will it have any effect on my fish?

Also i noticed that i have a snail in my tank. Did this come from the blood worms?
Shall i leave it in or take it out?

Please help there is nothing in books about colour changing gravel and the magic appearance of snails.

Cheers

 

[Bol]

The first thing I'd check with the gravel is, is the new brown color kind of a slimy coating, that rubs off easily?

If so, what you most likely have is an outbreak of diatoms (sometimes called 'diatom algae'). It's pretty common in newer tanks (I usually see it in my tanks about ... four to seven weeks after cycling is complete). Also happens in low-light tanks.

It's not harmful to the fish, and usually goes away without any intervention as the tank matures, in my experience. Also, otos like to munch it off of rocks and glass -- not sure about gravel, though.

About the snail, were the bloodworms live?
Also, if you put any live plants in the tank, chances are good that's where the snail came from (eggs on the plants).

A few snails can be beneficial, but too many can be a hassle, in my opinion. If you do have a couple of snails (I'm assuming they're the plain old 'pond snails'), they'll be a sure-fire indicator if you're overfeeding your fish. If you overfeed, chances are you'll fairly suddenly see that you have dozens and dozens of snails.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

What color is your gravel? Do you clean it with a gravel vac?

I'd say you have too many fish or too much nitrate. The oto(s) can't and won't clean it up.

The snail was probably introduced into your tank when you added plants or when one was accidentally scooped up when you bought fish. They don't come with blood worms, especially frozen or dried foods.

If it was plants, then there's a really simple procedure to remove the snails. All you have to do is look at the leaves and stems and run warm water and your fingers over the plants. You could also use medicines to kill them, but it's not necessary.

How many snails do you have?

 

[andieschweigert]

before i put in my fish(whilecycling the tank) the gravel got a fuzz on top i vaccuumed it out and it came back again after i put the fish in hoe do i stop it??

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Did you wash your gravel before putting it in?

Did you have plants or something in there that could have grown fungus?

 

[Nina7777]

its definately brown algae or "diatoms" if you don't wanna put ottos in just clean it pretty well, and it will go away on its own. trust me I know my tank was over taken it with it about 2 months ago and now I don't have any.

 

[Sky042]

a simple soloution to that sort of algae is just to stir up the gravel in that section of the tank. when it's not exposed to the light it'll quickly die out.

 

[ILikeVoltron]

The first thing I'd check with the gravel is, is the new brown color kind of a slimy coating, that rubs off easily?

If so, what you most likely have is an outbreak of diatoms (sometimes called 'diatom algae'). It's pretty common in newer tanks (I usually see it in my tanks about ... four to seven weeks after cycling is complete). Also happens in low-light tanks.

It's not harmful to the fish, and usually goes away without any intervention as the tank matures, in my experience. Also, otos like to munch it off of rocks and glass -- not sure about gravel, though.

About the snail, were the bloodworms live?
Also, if you put any live plants in the tank, chances are good that's where the snail came from (eggs on the plants).

A few snails can be beneficial, but too many can be a hassle, in my opinion. If you do have a couple of snails (I'm assuming they're the plain old 'pond snails'), they'll be a sure-fire indicator if you're overfeeding your fish. If you overfeed, chances are you'll fairly suddenly see that you have dozens and dozens of snails.

I've got the same problem with the Alge. Its just as you describe it 'diatoms.' Although I've had it for quite some time now, several months in fact. I am starting to get a little worried about it as I have no started buying water from a shop that uses RO water. I was using tap water at first (the local water is pretty clean) then I started using bottled water, and now the Shops water.

I've also tested for phosphates, pH and salinity, all testing fine. How long will it take now to get rid of this stuff?

My tank -- 29 Gallons, "Compact fluorescent 65watt BLUE JBJ" and "Compact fluorescent 65watt DAYLIGHT JBJ", got some 'substraight in a bag', and about 20lbs of liverock in there right now.

Also, the 'diatoms' completly cover my rock and I can even see small air bubbles forming under it, and under some of the substraight.

Please help