Powdery brown substance

[kathya0321]

My tank is about 3 months old, it's fully cycled. I have been leaving my lights on regular cycle, and now I have a powdery brown substance on the glass, it almost looks like dust. I also see it floating in the water, my tank never went through the ugly stage, do you think this could be it? I only have a CUC right now, so haven't really been feeding. My snails don't really seem very interested in cleaning up the substance. Any ideas?

 

[ScottB]

My tank is about 3 months old, it's fully cycled. I have been leaving my lights on regular cycle, and now I have a powdery brown substance on the glass, it almost looks like dust. I also see it floating in the water, my tank never went through the ugly stage, do you think this could be it? I only have a CUC right now, so haven't really been feeding. My snails don't really seem very interested in cleaning up the substance. Any ideas?

Need a microscope to confirm, but likely diatoms. Do you get a dusting on the sand as well?

It is nothing to worry about. It will get replaced by something else once you start feeding and the biome matures. You should be throwing a little bit of food in there as you go so that the bacteria colony remains supported. And the CUC as well. Happy reefing!

 

[kathya0321]

Ok thank you, I'm not noticing a visible dusting on the sand, but that's not to say it isn't there. I did a 10% water change and will start dropping a few pellets a day for my CUC. Appreciate the advice.