What is this brown sludge?

[coralreefer123]

I have a bare bottom FOWLR nano tank that has been fully cycled for months, and I am having issues with this brown sludge. All nitrites and nitrates are at acceptable levels (0ppm and 10ppm), undetectable ammonia.

What is the brown sludge pictured ? I have seen and had diatoms and algae blooms in previous tanks, and it looks different to me. It is not like a mat of algae or anything that sticks to the bottom.

 

[T-J]

Where in your tank are you seeing this? I can't tell from the pics.
Is it attached or does it just settle to the bottom? Can you blow it off easily, or do you need to scrub it?

 

[coralreefer123]

It settles at the bottom and can be easily blown off! Exactly! Does not seem like an algae mat or anything.

 

[MichaelReefer]

Just looks like detritus to me *shrug*

 

[vetteguy53081]

This was answered in a different thread- Cross threading gets very confusing as you will invite mixed opinions.
Its a diatomous growth similar to detritus and not abnormal as inorganics need a spot to form and settle..

 

[coralreefer123]

This was answered in a different thread- Cross threading gets very confusing as you will invite mixed opinions.
Its a diatomous growth similar to detritus and not abnormal as inorganics need a spot to form and settle..

Is there anything I can do to reduce it, less light?

 

[T-J]

This was answered in a different thread- Cross threading gets very confusing as you will invite mixed opinions.
Its a diatomous growth similar to detritus and not abnormal as inorganics need a spot to form and settle..

Yeah, 3 threads on the same thing.

Is there anything I can do to reduce it, less light?

Looking at how white your rocks are, it's part of the ugly stage. I believe Vette gave you some sound advice.
Honestly though, it just looks like detritus to me.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Is there anything I can do to reduce it, less light?

Increasing flow will lessen its chance to adhere to surfaces , but this is a normal biological behavior in both fresh and saltwater tanks

 

[coralreefer123]

Increasing flow will lessen its chance to adhere to surfaces , but this is a normal biological behavior in both fresh and saltwater tanks

Just upgraded my powerhead!

 

[coralreefer123]

Just upgraded my powerhead!

Would a protein skimmer help? I have a nano tank.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Would a protein skimmer help? I have a nano tank.

Possibly. For nano tank- Look at IceCap K-1 or K2-50

 

[coralreefer123]

Possibly. For nano tank- Look at IceCap K-1 or K2-50

Thank you!

 

[spicymikey]

I have a bare bottom FOWLR nano tank that has been fully cycled for months, and I am having issues with this brown sludge. All nitrites and nitrates are at acceptable levels (0ppm and 10ppm), undetectable ammonia.

What is the brown sludge pictured ? I have seen and had diatoms and algae blooms in previous tanks, and it looks different to me. It is not like a mat of algae or anything that sticks to the bottom.

Is simply detritus. It is waste biomass. What is it exactly? It's a lot of different things but mainly just partially decomposed Organics from feeding, waste products from the creatures living in the tank, and heterotrophic bacteria colonies feeding off that gunk.. In addition to that there are some non-organics, likely consisting of different minerals which are also to some degree waste from the organisms in the tank , or precipitate that has fallen out of solution. It's all completely normal and to be expected to some degree. Vacuuming and cleaning the floor of the inside of your sump is something you likely will want to add to your to-do list of regular chores