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Old 07-03-2016, 01:06 PM   #1
Lex
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Question Filter media turned brown, why?

Hi guys,

I am currently running 4 tanks, small 2 feet ones for my FHs.
Yesterday, I realised that the one housing the biggest FH had the media turned brown. The setup is the same on all 4 tanks, all house 1 FH each and the media is actually placed on the coral chips that is at the base of the tank when the water exits the top filter.

Has any experienced this before? Is it a lack of oxygen or something else that I'm missing out on?

The rest of the tanks are unaffected. Only the big dudes tank.

Any idea? Thanks in advance.
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Old 08-03-2016, 09:11 AM   #2
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Could be sediment or mulm or jist the nitrifying bacteria
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Old 08-03-2016, 10:30 AM   #3
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Likely the biggest FH tank has a bigger bioload/waste production. So the brown stuff u see on ur media is actually biofilm growing on the external of the media which also means your media is well cycled. But just to take note that with the biofilm developing externally, the internal of the media may or may not clog up after sometime.

Tts why it's always advisable to wash stagnant media once awhile
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Old 08-03-2016, 10:32 AM   #4
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bring out the media to flush off those brown stuff if they are unsightly.
likely some microorganism growth due to excess nutrients, in this case, i guess its phosphates.

bigger fish eats more and poops more. if you're feeding more, change more water.
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Old 08-03-2016, 10:40 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WFA Filtration View Post
So the brown stuff u see on ur media is actually biofilm growing on the external of the media which also means your media is well cycled.
no, i disagree. excessive biofilm formation does not always mean a well cycled tank.

a well cycled tank is a tank filtration populated with beneficial bacteria that helps remove unwanted pollutants in the fishtanks, ie, ammonia oxidizing bacteria and denitrifiers.

biofilm may be formed by many different types of microorganisms, bacteria and algae alike. eg, a brownish biofilm may also be overgrowth of brownish algae, which indicates an imbalance of nutrients in the water.
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Old 09-03-2016, 06:04 AM   #6
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Thanks everyone.

Tank only finished cycling about a week ago.

The fish started to stay and face the surface. Yesterday, I moved it to the bigger 2 ft tank (taller) with a higher rate pump.

The tank also was developing noticeable slime on the walls and I've seen this before, in my koi fgt, soon after, all up lorry. That why it freaked me out. I cant confirm its the same though but paranoia will get the better of anyone!

Water change is quite regular, 25% twice a week plus additional 10% every other day because the big dude is a poopin machine. Feeding twice a day.

I must also add that the brown stuff really took hold after dosing the tank with High Active. Since it has a high mineral count, I'm a little lost as to weather it is a bacteria bloom or as I read online, waste in water.


Filter is packed with Marine Pure Spheres and Biohome. Is clogged up to emulate an overhead sump. The main mech filter is the sponge I have put on the pump itself.

Strangely, the brownish water started to disappear when I put my guppies in that tank instead. It somehow doesn't seem so "Tanic".

Did a test and everything is good.
Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate .5, GH healthy but on the side of one more level and it would be too hard. Basically, a perfect reading.

The media that really turned brown is only the Bacteria House, original ones from Momo. Those pieces are put on the coral chips at the base of the tank where the water falls onto, to prevent the FH from picking up the coral chips.

Water also seemed slimy and slow moving (if that makes any sense). Like it was getting "thick".

Shoot away, and thanks again. Your feedbacks are all useful.
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Old 09-03-2016, 09:35 AM   #7
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my guess is brown algae.
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Old 09-03-2016, 10:08 AM   #8
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A pix or video would definitely help ...
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Old 09-03-2016, 12:03 PM   #9
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What the affected tank looks like...


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Old 09-03-2016, 12:04 PM   #10
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The other tanks...


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