How serious is this problem?

Over the past couple months or so, I've noticed a brownish dust-looking substance settling and accumulating across the plants, rocks and now on the wood sticks. I'm not sure if it's algae, excess waste, or something else.

If it's algae: is it harmful? How can I control this?

If it's waste: is it harmful? Good for plants? Due to lack of filtration? Overpopulation? Etc.

Other: no idea

 

More info: it brushes off fairly easy with the touch of the hand. More force is needed to completely remove a portion of it.

 

I don't think it's algae. What kind of filter do you have? When was the last time you rinsed your filter media and how often/how large are your water changes?

 

I have a 400gph HOB filter, I've rinsed the filter only once since probably June or so. And water changes about 50-60% every 2-3 weeks. Fish do not seem to be affected at all by the less-frequent changes so I didn't see a need to do more than what I was.

 

That's a looong time to go without rinsing your media and is likely the cause for those particles not being filtered through. Or could also be pieces of filter media falling apart and being pushed back out into the tank so it may need replacing. What kind of filter media do you have?

And going 2-3 weeks without a water change is really not healthy for your fish. Providing fresh water also replaces minerals that are used up that fish need for osmoregulation. A lot of illnesses can be prevented by sticking with weekly water changes as well. It would also keep your tank cleaner. I would be vacuuming your substrate more often too.

 

I moved the lights to the center of the tank (they were positioned on the back of it) and changed the hours from 1-8hour time to 2-4hour periods. I also did another water change and it seems to have had some sort of effect on the stuff. I'll try and change the water more frequently even if the fish haven't shown any changes in health so far. I'm going to make a thread later on regarding the equipment setup if you happen to see it in the feed... Thanks.

 

It looks a lot better!