why do I keep getting a brown film build up in my tank?

Answer 1

Sounds like it is probably algae. Does it feel slimy to the touch? That means it is algae. To defeat algae, the biggest thing is that you scrub your tank on a weekly basis. Use a scrubber specifically made for the material your tank is made of. If you use a scrubber made for glass on an acrylic tank, for example, it will really scratch up your acrylic. Also, when you scrub, stir up your gravel, too. What happens is that scrubbing and stirring brings the algae out into the water so that the filter can grab it.
Using chemicals for algae is not a shortcut to avoid scrubbing. Scrubbing is a necessary maintenance for having a tank. Regular maintenance will keep it beautiful.

Answer 2

ALGEA
-You can keep cleaning it off the glass week after week, by using a dedicated sponge, scraper or removal tool.
- You can move your tank away from too much natural lighting,
-You can add chemicals to your tank. I do not recommend using this method of algae control as adding chemicals is never 100% beneficial. There can be some side effects to the health of certain types of aquarium plants and fishes
-The most effective, and by far the least amount of work and expense, is to have an algae eating fish or snail within the tank.
Chinese Cat Fish/Chinese Algae Eater. Very inexpensive, around a buck or two apiece, but most of all rather active. These little diehards are always swimming, clinging to your glass, cleaning your tank or any other antics they can do. For tanks 50+ gals or more I recommend two of them.

Answer 3

A lot of the previous answerers are WRONG...brown algae (diatoms, technically) is very common in low light tanks. It is *NOT* caused by high lighting, so DO NOT decrease the lighting. You should be able to just scrape it off, but it will likely reappear. You might want to consider upping the wattage of lights or invest in a species of fish that naturally eats it (otocinclus, for instance). Or invest in some "Algae Magic" which I think is a great product. Test the parameters of the water and make sure that everything is optimal. But realize that this is a common thing, don't get discouraged.

Answer 4

Brown algae is caused by too much light and too much nitrates.
Reduce the period your lights are on. If your tank is direct sunlight then move it to a more shaded position.
Reduce your feeding to once a day with enough food that is eaten in 15 minutes, the best time to feed is first thing in the morning.
Use a syphon gravel cleaner to remove the algae and do 25% water changes about once a week until the problem disappears.
Allways use a declorinator on tap water before adding it to your aquarium.

Answer 5

It is algae and accumilates do to over feeding and extra lights. Change your water and do not feed the fish for atleast two days and reduce your lights.

Answer 6

is not algae! is your fishes poo! it collects everywhere in the tank!