gravel discoloring

[alicat]

Hi everyone, I haven't posted before but love the site. Started up a new tank it has finished being cycled for about a month now. The levels are all good the fish healthy (been fully stocked for about a month now) water clear, but the beige gravel is turning quite dark, no debris on the bottom, is it just algae it's sort of brownish green. There is nothing to vacuum on the bottom. Do I have to wash the gravel or just leave it.
Thanks for any help.
Alison

 

[semper fi]

is the agae more green than brown or brown than green? also what type of fish do you have in the tank?

 

[alicat]

The color is more brown than green. As it is only a 10 gallon (have 2 larger tanks ) there are only 4 neons, 2 harlequins and the 2 platties that I cycled with.

 

[cichlidmaster]

That is one of the problems with light colored gravel. While you may get some replies on how to curb the growth of different algae's, none IMO will stop your gravel from discoloring over time.

One way to help now would be to simply lightly stir the gravel during your next water change. This will create a mess of sorts, but if you do it and let the debris settle for around ten minutes you should be able to siphon off the debris as it will be on top of the gravel bed.

What will this accomplish?? It will help to dislodge the algae off the gravel.

This will not effect your biological bed in the gravel to bad. I do this during everyone of my water changes due to the fact I use a 50 gallon per minute water pump to pump the old water out of my tanks. I cannot go into the gravel bed with my siphon or it would suck the gravel and everything else out.

HTH

CM

 

[alicat]

Thanks for your reply, will try that

 

[Xxzsdrklakdfj]

I know it's completely off the topic but i'd just like to welcome you to the forum!

-"letters"

 

[alicat]

thank You