What type of algae is this?

**art_t** · 10-27-2011, 01:16 PM

Can someone please tell me what this brown dust is that is constantly covering my plants? If you hit the leaf it all falls off. I have a 4 adult angelfish in the tank and 6 cory's (75g tank). I've had the tank up and running for 3 years, but in July I put in new substrate for the cories. I've also noticed that in bare bottom tanks, this dust is all over too. Coming from the angelfish. So is this algae or angelfish dust

My tank is 75g with 3 separate fluorescent fixtures (each bulb is 40 watts). I dose Flourish Excel, and macro and micro nutrients a couple of times per week. I also provide root tabs to the swords because my substrate is play sand. I have a fluval 405 canister filter on the tank and hob filter as well. I also do weekly pwc's at about 40%.

Thank you in advance for any help/advice/insight that you can give to me. I'm REALLY REALLY tired of seeing this stuff everyday. The Java Fern looks awful.

Abrium · 11-03-2011, 01:05 PM

Do you disturb your substrate on a regular basis? Those pictures are of fish waste and silt not algae.

ashes2ashes · 11-03-2011, 01:20 PM

I agree. I was ready to say diatoms of some sort until I saw the pics..that looks like mulm..or fish waste and silt. Looks like something from your gravel got stirred up on your plants.

cbessler · 11-03-2011, 02:35 PM

Definitely a mulm or waste IMO. If it brushes off easily then yeah. It happens when you siphon less or are unable to through major planted areas without disturbing it (deeply for me) and uprooting everything! :P Just siphon more, or decrease your bio load, more water changes? nbd

10-27-2011, 01:16 PM	#1
art_t Angelfish Lover (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 101	What type of algae is this? Can someone please tell me what this brown dust is that is constantly covering my plants? If you hit the leaf it all falls off. I have a 4 adult angelfish in the tank and 6 cory's (75g tank). I've had the tank up and running for 3 years, but in July I put in new substrate for the cories. I've also noticed that in bare bottom tanks, this dust is all over too. Coming from the angelfish. So is this algae or angelfish dust My tank is 75g with 3 separate fluorescent fixtures (each bulb is 40 watts). I dose Flourish Excel, and macro and micro nutrients a couple of times per week. I also provide root tabs to the swords because my substrate is play sand. I have a fluval 405 canister filter on the tank and hob filter as well. I also do weekly pwc's at about 40%. Thank you in advance for any help/advice/insight that you can give to me. I'm REALLY REALLY tired of seeing this stuff everyday. The Java Fern looks awful. Attached Thumbnails

11-03-2011, 01:05 PM	#2
Abrium Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (11/100%) Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: A day late and a dollar short. Posts: 687	Do you disturb your substrate on a regular basis? Those pictures are of fish waste and silt not algae. __________________ Abe's 125 Journal Algae Identification Lower Light = Less Algae Post a rating if we do business... "I got 1 tool in my toolbox and its a hammer."

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11-03-2011, 01:20 PM	#3
ashes2ashes Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (13/100%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: lexington, SC Posts: 229	I agree. I was ready to say diatoms of some sort until I saw the pics..that looks like mulm..or fish waste and silt. Looks like something from your gravel got stirred up on your plants.

11-03-2011, 02:35 PM	#4
cbessler Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 36	Definitely a mulm or waste IMO. If it brushes off easily then yeah. It happens when you siphon less or are unable to through major planted areas without disturbing it (deeply for me) and uprooting everything! :P Just siphon more, or decrease your bio load, more water changes? nbd