http://forum.aqua-fish.net/ A forum devoted to aquarium fish, plants, techniques and fish keeping as a whole. en http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=brownish-rusty-color-all-over-new-tank-#1 My little sister in law just set up a new ten gallon tank. She has two angel fish, and had two swordtails but one died already. There is a brownish rusty color that has started to cover everything in the tank including the substrate and the filter. There are also little worm looking things that are stuck on the glass. The are very small and hard to see and look like they have little hairs coming out the end that move in the water. I would like to know what the brown stuff is (algae?) and the worm looking things. I would also love to know what to do about them to get rid of them. I would also like to know if these may be the reason the one swordtail died. Thanks!!! jon_edie82 2009-02-06 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=brownish-rusty-color-all-over-new-tank-#2 First off a 10 gallon tank is only large enough for 1 Angelfish, they each require 10 gallons of water. The brownish algae is diatomic algae and this is caused by the tank not being cleaned properly. The worms are coming out of the substrate so that is a sign that the water quality is low. How long was the tank running before the fish were added as it needs to cycle first. I would suggest investing in a gravel vacuum to clean the gravel and get rid of the worms. Test your water as it sounds like your tank is not ready for fish yet. mickey 2009-02-09 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=brownish-rusty-color-all-over-new-tank-#3 thanks for the info. I cleaned the tank and did a water change. I also washed off some of the decor. We got a small algae eater. After two days, the tank looks spotless. I don't know exaxctly what happened, but it is a lot better. jon_edie82 2009-02-09 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=brownish-rusty-color-all-over-new-tank-#4 sounds like a build up of waste in the substrate,invest in a gravel vac and do it weekly then you shouldnt have the same thing happen again mickey 2009-02-10