I just installed an aeration system and it's still in the early startup phase. However in cleaning up my floating fountain pump to put it back in service I found it was covered in a heavy brown algae and needed something to scrape it off. It had also grown inside the pump screen and was so dense it had a meaty texture.

For FA I'd usually use copper sulfate sprayed on it and the water surrounding the mats. Not sure how to deal with this brown stuff. I also pulled out a 2nd pump that had only been in the water about 3 weeks and it's covered as well. Both of these were down about the 2 foot depth so not sure if it's deeper than that or not. However the waterfall I restarted also has brown stuff growing on the new liner and that water comes from 5 feet below the surface so I suspect it's at all depths.

I didn't get any pictures as I was too involved in getting things cleaned up and back into the pond but can grab some tomorrow.

Is this something the aeration will take care of once the system is running full out or does it need to be attacked some other way?