Rust looking stuff

Hey Everyone!

I have noticed a rust color something (algae maybe?) in my tank. I first noticed it on my fake bamboo, then I started noticing it on my ornaments in spots, then on one of the other fake plants and now I'm seeing that it's covering the top of our rock decoration as well. I cleaned as much as I could last night during the water change, but it seems to have all sprouted back today. Any ideas what it is and how to get rid of it? It doesn't seem to be effecting the fish or the water, but it just doesn't look nice.

 

Diatoms it sounds like...BUT could be algae

 

Looking at the post, it does sound about right. I had no problem what-so-ever with just gently rubbing it off the plant leaves and ornaments. Guess I'll just try and keep it as tidy as I can and wait it out.

 

From what I read...keeping your lights on longer also helps...

 

Brown algae (diatoms) wipes off easy and if fast growing. Most suggestions I have seen on ridding the issue is adding live plants, more light, make sure your light is strong enough for the volume of water, so green algae will compete for nutrients, make sure to keep an eye on NITRATE levels too high can cause an outbreak. Narite snails love to much on these. Adding salt to the tank but I don't know what kind of fish you have so please research that first to see if that option would be good for your tank. Clean the gravel and vacuum well to remove uneatten food and waste and maintaining proper parameters. DON'T OVER FEED. Good luck, I just had this spring up on me right after a bacterial bloom. My nitrates were too high

 

I see you have a panda cory so I would advise against salt, as whyvonwhy said research first but corys are sensitive to salt . I have diatoms too nerite snails like to eat them but you can just brush them off