Weird film on glass near bottom of tank.

[kb]

The bottom of my FO tank has what looks like a clear kinda white film(it looks like salt) but when I scrape it off it's more like a black film!? Does anyone know what this is and is it bad?

 

[mr . salty]

INSIDE OR OUTSIDE????

 

[kb]

It's on the inside!

 

[mr . salty]

I get what sounds like the same stuff in my freshwater tank. but not since I added an algae eater. Could be algae. How big is the tank? how old? what fish? water readings? all this would help. You have a glass bottom? (no substrate) STEVE

 

[kb]

I have a 150 FO tank (saltwater) all levels have been fine(ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph) and I do have a shell substrate

 

[kb]

I have a 150 FO tank (saltwater) all levels have been fine(ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph) and I do have a shell substrate. It's just above the substrate on the glass.

 

[kb]

I have a 150 FO tank (saltwater) all levels have been fine(ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph) and I do have a shell substrate. It's just above the substrate on the glass.

 

[mr . salty]

OK, I missunderstood, Mine has the same stuff. Pretty sure it's micro algae. STEVE

 

[mainejo1]

Normal, mostly because it is hard to get to and clean. If you didn't clean your glass you would probably see it half way up the front too.

 

[kb]

Now this black algae looking material is all over the bottom of my tank, but, just in the middle? It's also on the coral in the middle. What is this stuff????????

 

[mr . salty]

IT'S ALGAE. Everybody gets it.If you dont like the looks of it ,stir up the gravel,or vaccume it clean. STEVE
[This message has been edited by MR . SALTY (edited 07-03-2000).]

 

[kb]

Mr. Salty, thanks for the info. but you were wrong-the black stuff on the bottom of my tank was a bacteria NOT algae. It's from topping off with so much water because of evaporation-my tap water must have too much phosphate.

 

[kmr]

KB,
Whats the name of the bacteria? Where did you learn about it? Most importantly, how did you get rid of it if you did? I don't have it but want to know about it more just in case. Be carefull on this BB as not all info is accurate!

 

[mr . salty]

I'm sorry, I was led to belive thats what it was. Mine went away within a week. Please keep us informed as to what this is,and how to get rid of it. STEVE

 

[kb]

It's red slime(it's black and red) and it's because of too much phosphate. I bought Phosguard phosphate remover and some phosphate pads. I bought a phosphate test kit and I definitely have a lot of phosphate in the tank. I got all this phosphate from topping off the tank every few days. If you have to top off a lot this is something to keep an eye on. The slime can be so bad that if I clean it off the bottom it will all be back the next day. It will cover the bottom and coral with a thick slime. Keep an eye on your phosphate to avoid all the trouble I'm going through!