Brown stuff on rocks

[M Stein]

What do you think about the Microbacter he suggested. I read it does add another bacteria strain. That one anyway.

Seems like a good product. Brightwell aquatics is a reputable company and it definitely will add new bacteria strains.

However these products are designed for cycling tanks not for fighting diatoms. Diatoms are just such a non-issue that I've never even heard of a product designed to get rid of them (other than cleaning magnets and glass scrapers). Most bacterial products for fighting algae are designed to take on tougher macro algae such as hair algae or bryopsis and may not be effective against micro algae.

Also the goal is to get bacteria to out compete the diatoms. Biodiversity helps because every part of the rock has different growing conditions (depending mainly on light and flow), so adding more strains means that there are more types of bacteria to compete in every inch of the rock. But Biodiversity is not essential. Most reefers turn off the tank lights for the first few month of cycling so that the cycling bacteria could out compete the diatoms and other nuisances. I think that would be more effective.

Adding extra bacteria cycling bacteria is unnecessary but not harmful (it just costs more money). Biodiversity will eventually get into your tank the same way the diatoms did, (yes, saltwater bacteria will somehow get into your tank).

I would say your best bet is to get a clean up crew (cool little critters). They will clean up the diatoms allowing the bacteria you already have to populate and outcompete them in that area.

Also, the responses we gave you may have led you to think that your tank has a problem. It doesn't. Every single tank has diatoms. They're not pretty but also not harmful. The diatoms I see in your picture are mild. It will get darker and spread, that it not a cause for worry. Everybody has them.

 

[StPatrick89]

Seems like a good product. Brightwell aquatics is a reputable company and it definitely will add new bacteria strains.

However these products are designed for cycling tanks not for fighting diatoms. Diatoms are just such a non-issue that I've never even heard of a product designed to get rid of them (other than cleaning magnets and glass scrapers). Most bacterial products for fighting algae are designed to take on tougher macro algae such as hair algae or bryopsis and may not be effective against micro algae.

Also the goal is to get bacteria to out compete the diatoms. Biodiversity helps because every part of the rock has different growing conditions (depending mainly on light and flow), so adding more strains means that there are more types of bacteria to compete in every inch of the rock. But Biodiversity is not essential. Most reefers turn off the tank lights for the first few month of cycling so that the cycling bacteria could out compete the diatoms and other nuisances. I think that would be more effective.

Adding extra bacteria cycling bacteria is unnecessary but not harmful (it just costs more money). Biodiversity will eventually get into your tank the same way the diatoms did, (yes, saltwater bacteria will somehow get into your tank).

I would say your best bet is to get a clean up crew (cool little critters). They will clean up the diatoms allowing the bacteria you already have to populate and outcompete them in that area.

Also, the responses we gave you may have led you to think that your tank has a problem. It doesn't. Every single tank has diatoms. They're not pretty but also not harmful. The diatoms I see in your picture are mild. It will get darker and spread, that it not a cause for worry. Everybody has them.

Thanks, I understood the extra bacteria wasn’t for the diatoms. I should’ve said that earlier. Was just thinking about more bacteria for my bioload. I also understand that diatoms aren’t bad. I’ll shorten my light schedule.

 

[M Stein]

Just try not to not to waste money. It's an expensive hobby as it is.

 

[rhostam]

Another thing you might want to do just to be prepared for future issues is watch the BRSTV 5-minute guide series on YouTube. They cover at lot in five minute chunks per topic. They help make sure you have a high level view of what to expect as you and your tank continue your journey together. Prepared versus panic makes the journey smoother.

BRSTV 5-Minute Guide Series

 

[M Stein]

I’ll shorten my light schedule.

Reef tanks have between eight to ten hours of necessary light a day. so playing with the light schedule is not a permanent solution (you also want to see your fish).

 

[StPatrick89]

Just try not to not to waste money. It's an expensive hobby as it is.

You ain’t never lied

 

[StPatrick89]

Another thing you might want to do just to be prepared for future issues is watch the BRSTV 5-minute guide series on YouTube. They cover at lot in five minute chunks per topic. They help make sure you have a high level view of what to expect as you and your tank continue your journey together. Prepared versus panic makes the journey smoother.

BRSTV 5-Minute Guide Series

Thanks for this

 

[StPatrick89]

Reef tanks have between eight to ten hours of necessary light a day. so playing with the light schedule is not a permanent solution (you also want to see your fish).

Ok thanks for that