is this algea

[rookie]

my substraite is slowly turning brown is this algae? is my florite fading? or is it an affect of something im doing wrong?

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss105/exselvelezjr/a9bca3ec.jpg

[Lab_Rat]

Looks like brown algae (diatoms) on both the substrate and on the marimo ball.

[Jacko]

Pic is kinda blurry but I agree with labby, looks like diatoms, not hard to get rid of and most algae eaters will eat it...
That being said it might also just be mulm, most likely diatoms though.

[Northernguy]

I agree with diatoms.

It should disappear in a few weeks.:19:

[rookie]

ok i have already gone through the diatom stage in my tank and when i got my bn's they cleaned it all up spotless. and now i guess its creeping back. i have been trying to find my balance because my my plants are starting to brown. i tryed dosing florish and after i changed my water and that dont seem to be helping. do you think florish excel is my next thing to try

[PostalPenguin]

I have that same crap growing on my substrate and thats in a high CO2 injected tank. I am not sure what causes it. My only theory is bioload, if I do extensive gravel vacs during my water changes it seems to subside. However, if I do not, the stuff grows with a vengeance. Perhaps up the water changes a bit.

[rookie]

right now im doing %50 every sunday do you think i should do more than that??

[rich311k]

You can do more than that but 50% should be fine.