Brown diatoms going nuts

[jhead2003]

Tank is about 3-4 months old. Brown diatom algae is going nuts in my tank. No how many water charges it won’t go away. If I blow my rocks and glass off wake up next day and boom it’s all back. Any ideas

 

[James M]

Welcome to reef2reef!!!
It’s the ugly stage, it should go away in awhile

 

[jhead2003]

Tank is 3 months old
Or so. It’s the kind u can blow off the rocks and glass with a turkey baster. And 24 hours laters it’s right back. Ive never had it last this long and can’t figure out why. I use ro water chem pure elite. So I’m stumped lol

 

[Auto-pilot]

I agree with James. I think silcate is a major source of nutrients for diatoms. I had a lot growing when I added new sand recently

 

[GoPitt88]

Just wait it out. It will go away once most of the silicates are consumed. This is a natural part of a maturing tank. Hang in there.....it will get better in a few weeks or so

 

[Lowefx]

My tank is 2 years old, I have a 7 stage rodi and my diatoms are still going nuts. I'm also trying to find out how to get rid of them.

 

[Auto-pilot]

My tank is 2 years old, I have a 7 stage rodi and my diatoms are still going nuts. I'm also trying to find out how to get rid of them.

Do you have a media reactor??

 

[Lowefx]

Do you have a media reactor??

I do, it's not hooked up right now tho. I have rowaphos and BRS carbon available too. My system will be po4-0 and no3-0, one week. The next week its sky high, then back to zero. No consistancy.

 

[BigJim]

Are you using RODI water for top off and water changes? I agree with the others that this is typical for a new tank, but it could also be the water you are using. I have to use a second DI stage on my RODI system to get rid off all the silicate in my water.

 

[Auto-pilot]

hmmm do you think that the tests are accurate???? That seems odd for a mature tank. As for the Diatoms phosguard removes silicates and might just take care of that problem. Your tank doesn't look like it has a ton of algae and that's a good sign of low nutrients.

 

[Lowefx]

7 stage with cat ion and the other ion then mixed

 

[Lowefx]

hmmm do you think that the tests are accurate???? That seems odd for a mature tank. As for the Diatoms phosguard removes silicates and might just take care of that problem. Your tank doesn't look like it has a ton of algae and that's a good sign of low nutrients.

No algae issues except for diatoms, small patch of cyano and I have to clean the glass every day. Any other helpful hints?

 

[Auto-pilot]

Well other than running some sort of Phosphate remover, a refugiam with alge, a protien skimmer, carbon dosing that's about it

 

[Lowefx]

Well other than running some sort of Phosphate remover, a refugiam with alge, a protien skimmer, carbon dosing that's about it

Look at this. Even in my skimmer. I will have to clean out asap

 

[jhead2003]

 

[jhead2003]

Mine has been this way for a month. I have a brand new rodi unit so who knows what the problem Is I gave up lol

 

[jhead2003]

What if my rodi unit is defective and it’s just adding it back to my water?

 

[Lowefx]

I wonder If lights can ever be too strong

 

[Auto-pilot]

What if my rodi unit is defective and it’s just adding it back to my water?

You can test your RODI water with a TDS meter, might give you a ball park idea on how well your filter is doing.
I have a cheap unit and my water starts at 150 and comes out at 5 to 3.

 

[charlesk]

Just wait it out. It will go away once most of the silicates are consumed. This is a natural part of a maturing tank. Hang in there.....it will get better in a few weeks or so

Use a product called Dino X. Brs sells it, works great