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Thank you for this info tank is 2yrs oldDiatom or cyano, typical new tank syndrome. How old is tank?
I went head blow the Diatom or cyano off the rocks they do come back in a day I don't know what to doIs it possible to get a pic with white lights on and maybe a full tank shot?
+1 on Dkmoo post above..
They occur bc of both excess nutrient and unstable biodiversity.
Blowing it off does nothing. It just spreads it out even more and what ever diatom/cyano that "dies" simply release the nutrient back into the water and fuel the next round of growth. Mean while your fish keep pooping and add more fuel. The proliferation of cyano/diatom also outcompetes the nutrient away from other microorganisms, preventing biodiversity from establishing.
Instead of blowing it off, suck it out. Thats the only way of truly getting it out of the system. The next round will still grow back the next day, but you will be gradually sucking the fuel away and giving the other microorganisms a chance to start competing for nutrients until it reaches a balance with the diatom/cyano when they will keep each other in check and you'll get a stable microfauna.
This takes a long time. Keep sucking it out daily for 3 months and it will go away.
Do not try to add any bottle cures promising a quick fix, many of those will only be temporary fixes that doesn't advance the tanks natural process to maturity.
dont think vibrant will help - vibrant is a bacteria based solution that "eats" green algae and upcycling their nutrient back into organics for corals to eat. Vibrant doesn't target diatom/cyano, if anything, the green algae that it'll kill will release nutrient back into the tank and make ur situation worse.I cannot suck it out it's attached to the rocks I have to blow it Then remove it how about
By the way thank you for the info we'll said
dont think vibrant will help - vibrant is a bacteria based solution that "eats" green algae and upcycling their nutrient back into organics for corals to eat. Vibrant doesn't target diatom/cyano, if anything, the green algae that it'll kill will release nutrient back into the tank and make ur situation worse.
Many reefers who use vibrant to kill GHA report a subsequent cyano/diatom bloom.
only reliable method is daily manual removal and time.
try deep syphoning your sand too. oftentimes it's the detritus in there that's helping the fuel. if you've never stirred your sand in 2 years then make sure you only do a small section each time. stirring up your entire sandbed may release too much waste and crash your system.
skimmer won't pick it up - skimmer pulls out dissolved organics and protein molecules via the increased surface tension mechanism from the micro bubbles. The cyano/diatom is entirely too big to be picked up by skimmer. If anything, if you go with the overflow/filter route, use a filter sock.I thought blowing it will go to the over flow skimmer will remove it, is it my lightning that started omg you should see how much I removed from the back glass
Thank you for helping me
Likely a case of cyano over diatoms. Focus on the cyano. Likely elevated phosphate and nitrate.
Cyano blooms typically start when water nutrient concentrations go haywire. Just like when you eat too much sugar and your waistline starts to bloom, the same happens in your tank when concentrations of phosphate, nitrate and other organic compounds are too high.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Protein skimmer which fills water with tiny air bubbles. As bubbles form from the reaction chamber, dissolved organic compound molecules stick to them. Foam forms at the surface of the water and is then transferred to a collection cup, where it rests as skimmate
- Overstocking / overfeeding, your aquarium with nutrients is often the culprit of a cyano bloom
- Adding live rock that isn’t completely cured which acts like a breeding ground for red slime algae
- If you don’t change your water with enough frequency, you’ll soon have a brightly colored red slime algae bloom. Regular water changes dilute nutrients that feed cyanobacteria and keeps your tank beautifully clear
- Using a water source with nitrates or phosphates is like rolling out the welcome mat for cyano. Tap water is an example
- Inadequate water flow, or movement, is a leading cause of cyano blooms. Slow moving water combined with excess dissolved nutrients is a recipe for pervasive red slime algae development
I recommend to reduce white light intensity or even turn them off for 5-7 days. Add liquid bacteria daily for a week during the day at 1.5ml per 10 gallons. Add Hydrogen peroxide at night at 1ml per 10 gallons. Add a pouch of chemipure Elite which will balance phos and nitrate and keep them in check.
After the week, add a few snails such as cerith, margarita, astrea and nassarius plus 6-8 blue leg hermits to take control.
Well thought AND perfect advice. I agree with not adding any other "fixes" out here, as well.Likely a case of cyano over diatoms. Focus on the cyano. Likely elevated phosphate and nitrate.
Cyano blooms typically start when water nutrient concentrations go haywire. Just like when you eat too much sugar and your waistline starts to bloom, the same happens in your tank when concentrations of phosphate, nitrate and other organic compounds are too high.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Protein skimmer which fills water with tiny air bubbles. As bubbles form from the reaction chamber, dissolved organic compound molecules stick to them. Foam forms at the surface of the water and is then transferred to a collection cup, where it rests as skimmate
- Overstocking / overfeeding, your aquarium with nutrients is often the culprit of a cyano bloom
- Adding live rock that isn’t completely cured which acts like a breeding ground for red slime algae
- If you don’t change your water with enough frequency, you’ll soon have a brightly colored red slime algae bloom. Regular water changes dilute nutrients that feed cyanobacteria and keeps your tank beautifully clear
- Using a water source with nitrates or phosphates is like rolling out the welcome mat for cyano. Tap water is an example
- Inadequate water flow, or movement, is a leading cause of cyano blooms. Slow moving water combined with excess dissolved nutrients is a recipe for pervasive red slime algae development
I recommend to reduce white light intensity or even turn them off for 5-7 days. Add liquid bacteria daily for a week during the day at 1.5ml per 10 gallons. Add Hydrogen peroxide at night at 1ml per 10 gallons. Add a pouch of chemipure Elite which will balance phos and nitrate and keep them in check.
After the week, add a few snails such as cerith, margarita, astrea and nassarius plus 6-8 blue leg hermits to take control.

