brown crap off gravel?

[precator]

What will clean that up? any type of snail or fish?

 

[mr . salty]

Sounds like the stuff we all get in a new tank. It does clear itself up,but I would suggest using Coral-Vite. It has done wonders in my 125. STEVE

 

[purplepuffer]

Get a substrate vacuum and use it during water changes, it will get rid of it in about 2 changes.
~~Megan

 

[rickt4du]

Mr. Salty has just about convinced me to drink a bottle of coral-vite myself....
sounds like it'll cure what "ails" me..

rick.....

 

[beth]

What does coral-vite do? Is it a vitimin supplement or chemical additive ??

 

[beth]

The brown stuff is algae. A necessary evil in the fish hobby...lol
Actually, with time, the brown will go to green, and then you'll be back her b****ing about green all over your gravel.
Get a clean up crew to keep your gravel / sand sparkling! See info on this site about cleaning crew...and, no, I don't work for Saltwaterfish.com...

 

[mr . salty]

Coral-Vite is a hard and soft coral viamin and trace mineral suppliment....STEVE

 

[kris]

Steve- I knew coral-vite was a good additive for live rock and such, but are you saying it prevented or helped an algae problem as well.?

 

[broomer5]

Pretty sure the brown stuff are diatoms, usually refered to as "brown algae". Most always get them after setting up a new tank, natural part of the process. Some tap water may contain with silicates which I understand are the main culprits, causing the diatoms to flourish. Mine came after about 3-4 weeks at end of cycle, and have decreased over last couple months. Got a little green now on substrate, but the brown crap still has to be removed from the glass now and then.
Phosphates/Nitrates + a lot of Light = large amounts of most any algae problem.
If nitrates are high, do water changes a little more often. If phosphates are high, figure out why and try one of the phosphate removers on the market.
Good luck ~ Brian

 

[mr . salty]

KRIS, My lfs guy told me to try it for algae. It says on the lable it does not promote undesirable algae groth. I know that doesnt say it kills it. But it dissapeared 2or3 days after I started using it. Coincidence? Maybe,But I think it had something to do with it. I had it (brown algae) bad.........STEVE