Do I have algae?

[zackish]

My tank is just finishing up cycling and I have no fish in it. I noticed a very very thin film on the inside walls of the tank...is this algae?

[Rue]

...probably the start of a bit! Congrats! :c5:

[cocoa_pleco]

algae 101. you can try otto cats, but a good scrubber is better. have your tank lights on 8 hours/day max to prevent a outbreak

[SkarloeysMom]

If you do want to get the Otos just leave that algae there and let it grow on. You'll need a nice crop to support the Otos. You might want to wait until you have the rest of your community established before adding the Otos. I just posted under "Trying Oto Cats Again" by Rue about my recent experience with Otos if you want to check that out.

[zackish]

I am only cycling my tank and I never have lights on!! ahaha
maybe is it just a film from the rotting shrimp I have in there?

[~Erik3.8.07~]

my otto cats do a pretty good job in my ten. I got 2 in there and they manage to keep the walls pretty clean. but thats with a smaller tank, not sure how they would do if u have a bigger tank

[cocoa_pleco]

is the tank near sunlight or a window?

[zackish]

is the tank near sunlight or a window?

Nope it's sitting on the fireplace bricks and barely gets any sun.

[cocoa_pleco]

i have no idea then. it cant be algae since algae needs photosynthesis to survive. may be brown algae then, it strives in low-light tanks

[gm72]

Can you describe the "very thin film?"

[Lady Hobbs]

Some filming on the glass is normal and is especially evident in newly set up tanks. I just wipe my off with each water change with a paper towel. However, if your film is brownish, then it could be brown algae from lack of lights.

[zackish]

No, it's clear and hard to explain, just very very thin and broken up in some areas like spots.
Also, if I were to just wipe algae off the side wouldn't it just put it into the water column and then settle and stay there?

[cocoa_pleco]

that or a filter would catch it

[Lady Hobbs]

AGH! Speaking of algae. I just noticed some brown algae in my planted tank this morning. It's common in newly setup planted tanks and my lights are far from good enough so I'm not surprised. Disappointed but not surprised. I was hoping I could escape without it.