Diatom phase of the cycle

enveeRF · Jun 19, 2017

Morning everyone. How long does the diatom phase of the cycle run for? My whole tank is covered in brown dusting, rock, sand, glass. Just wondering what to expect, how long it will be like that. Thanks.

Mikedawg · Jun 19, 2017

Brown Diatoms are autotrophic (capable of synthesizing their own food from inorganic substances using light or chemical energy) and are restricted to areas which contain some light in order to grow and reproduce. If you turn your lights off they should be gone in a couple of days, and then do a water change. If you simply try to clean them off your substrate, rock now chances are they will simply re-attach. Then again, if they are so dense and widespread as to be a big problem, many reefers syphon them off for looks, etc. I'm assuming you don't have any corals yet.

Are you using RODI water? Some municipal water sources contain silicates which feed the problem and you need to filter it out. Also want to check your levels of nitrate, phosphate, etc. and use a good filter medium like Poly filter.

Good luck

Doob · Jun 19, 2017

Mine lasted for a few weeks since I started with new rocks and ran my lights. When the silicates ran low it was replaced by GHA.

GoVols · Jun 19, 2017

First off a diatom bloom is a natural stag. When I've had them on a new setup, then I'm just patent and let them burn out over time.
Make sure your using good RO/DI water and just remember it's a natural stag and usually they are burning off silicates. If you don't like seeing them on a sand bed then a Diamond Golby can be helpful it keeping it stirred up and white. They also fun to watch them do their thing.

enveeRF · Jun 19, 2017

Thanks everyone, yup I figured it was a natural stage - I am looking forward to GHA next. I am using RO/DI, 0-1 TDS output, should be good there, filters are a few months old. I do have a few zoas for coral, but they don't seem to be bothered by it. It also doesn't bother me that much; as far as rushing to treat I think I am ok, will wait it out.

Do have another question tho - where do silicates come from in a new tank? is is the new tank/glass, the sand, the rock? Just curious, if water is ruled out.

Snookin · Jun 20, 2017

Rodi should never be 1 TDS at end output. 0 TDS or replace filters and/or DI resin. GHA shouldn't be an expected stage at all for a tank during the cycle. Diatoms will always be there the first few weeks-2 months of cycle. Silicates are most commonly introduced via water.

Doob · Jun 20, 2017

enveeRF said:
Thanks everyone, yup I figured it was a natural stage - I am looking forward to GHA next. I am using RO/DI, 0-1 TDS output, should be good there, filters are a few months old. I do have a few zoas for coral, but they don't seem to be bothered by it. It also doesn't bother me that much; as far as rushing to treat I think I am ok, will wait it out.

Do have another question tho - where do silicates come from in a new tank? is is the new tank/glass, the sand, the rock? Just curious, if water is ruled out.

I believe they leach out of the rock. If they came from water then it should be an avoidable stage, but it's almost always observed.

Rob77 · Sep 17, 2017

GoVols said:
First off a diatom bloom is a natural stag. When I've had them on a new setup, then I'm just patent and let them burn out over time.
Make sure your using good RO/DI water and just remember it's a natural stag and usually they are burning off silicates. If you don't like seeing them on a sand bed then a Diamond Golby can be helpful it keeping it stirred up and white. They also fun to watch them do their thing.

should the sand be stirred during this stage ? or does it really matter ....just wondering your thoughts on this thanks