More uglies or something else?

[Jedi Knghit]

My tank is 11 weeks old. It is a standard 20H with a HOB filter. I had some diatoms that were eventually replaced by green algae. Now the green algae seems to be receding and I have this darker brown reddish stuff on the everything (glass, pumps, rock, sand). Is this just more of the ugly phase or something else?

Prior to 3 weeks ago, nitrates were typically in the 5-7 range and phosphates were .1-.2. Nitrates are now around .2 or lower and phosphates are .03 or lower using Salifert test kits.

The brown stuff blows off the rocks and sand pretty easily with a turkey baster.

 

[OutsideBrian]

Yea that’s common. Just use a magnetic glass cleaner. Probably have higher nitrates and wouldn’t hurt to change some water.

 

[lapin]

I think the reason your N and P dropped is the new algae is growing and using them up.
It is normal. Just keep up with the cleaning and one day all the uglies will be gone.

 

[Jedi Knghit]

That's what I was hoping to hear. I was concerned the low N and P put my at risk for Cyano and/or Dinos. I've been changing 10% per week and tomorrow is my usual day, so I'll just keep chugging along.

Thanks