Not sure what this is?

My canister filter came unplugged and was off for about 12 hours. My hob was still running. Now everything is covered in an orangish brown dirt like film. Anyone know what this might be or a way to cure it?? Any help would be appreciated!!!

 

Sounds like diatoms. How long has the tank been set up?

 

2 weeks. I upgraded to a bigger tank and.had 30 gallons of cycled water.

 

I agree sounds like diatoms, normal part of the cycle process. They consume silicates. Once the silicates are gone they go away. A good CUC will help handle them once your nitrogen cycle is complete.

 

thank goodness. what does CUC stand for? Im still pretty new so im still learning the lingo. Thanks for the input as well!!!

 

Learned today about this trick. Doesn't work with an iPad though

 

ahhhh got ya. fantastic. thanks for all the help. cant wait until they are gone though. all my rock looks like rust, my glass too. i about fainted when i came home from work LOL!

 

hahaha yeah all saltwater tanks get a diatom bloom at some point especially when they are in a cycle. mine had a bloom for maybe 3 days, and it was super minor but i had some copepods come with my live rock and they feasted on it haha