tiny brownish tan grass looking stuff in sand?

[z6joker9]

I was just curious as to what this stuff is. I have a digicam on order, awaiting its arrival so I'll have a better description then.

 

As for right now, they are in my 120. My nitrates are telling me it's time to do a water change, so could these little things be realated to that? kinda like a "bloom" due to high nitrates. are they a benificial denitrus cleaner or a sign of something bad?

 

as best i can describe them, they are brownish tan, slightly darker than the sand, and they are all over the sand, kinda like grass. They seem to be currently only on the left side of the tank, but they appear to be multiplying towards the right.

 

any help appreciated.

[caja]

Sounds like diatoms. Here's a link with more information or you can always hit the search button above and find more info here on N-R.

 

http://saltaquarium.about.com/library/week...ly/aa091100.htm

[Quash]

Yup, diatoms, they come they go