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Biofilm can pop up if there's too much organic waste or low surface agitation. What's your feeding routine? Overfeeding might be the culprit. Also, check if your filter outflow is strong enough to break the surface tension.


Yep, overfeeding's a common trigger. I cut back to twice a day with ...

One last thought: check for algae on the leaves. Sometimes browning can be algae blocking light. A gentle wipe with your fingers can help if that's the case.

Could also be lighting. Vallisneria doesn't need super bright light, and too much can cause browning. Try reducing your photoperiod to 6 hours and see if that helps. Also, what's your substrate? Sand or gravel?

Bare bottom's a game changer, but if you're attached to sand, layer it thin. 1 inch max. Also, what's your water change method? Dumping cold water straight in shocks them. I preheat replacement water to 84, drip it in over 30 mins. No more stress dances.

Re: Some questions about acrylic tanks.

Noticed the "Clarity Plus" sticker - lower right corner. I've got a 100 gallon Clarity Plus, 1988 vintage, still going strong. They must've been out of business for a while now, but clearly built quality tanks.