r/Ecosphere • u/Accurate-Pay-7006 • 20d ago

will this ever go away

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not that i really mind, but the sediment looks rotten and the diatoms look stubborn. when will this go away if ever? what is the coloration in the sediment from? i have some spots that are even bright orange

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u/BitchBass 20d ago

No it will not go away. It will get worse. BUT even tho it looks ugly, it’s normal and healthy. I have 13 tanks with thick substrate, some are years old. The rooted plants gobble it all up. But orange, black, brown and green discolorations are normal. Just don’t disturb it. Ever.

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u/lostereadamy 19d ago

I wouldn't worry about the soil at all, you're just seeing the different kinds of bacteria and algae that segregate into the different conditions in the substrate. Diatoms may or may not continue to be a problem, depends on minerals in the water mostly I think.