Diatom

[jdivz87]

Diatom bloom or what? lol need my people who always come through with the help lol

 

[Lavey29]

Looks like minor case of diatoms. In a new tank this goes away in a few weeks as long as their is no silicate source.

 

[jdivz87]

Looks like minor case of diatoms. In a new tank this goes away in a few weeks as long as their is no silicate source.

And if there is a silicate source what do we do

 

[vetteguy53081]

Diatom bloom or what? lol need my people who always come through with the help lol

These are diatoms which are a brown algae that typically appear in a reef tank that has just completed its cycle but they can also appear in an established reef tank. They can cover sand, rock, pumps, glass, you name it. Diatoms look ugly but in most cases they are harmless so the key is to not panic when they appear.
Diatoms feed mainly off of silicates but also consume dissolved organic compounds, phosphate and nitrates. Unfiltered tap water can contain silicates and is a good way to jump start a bloom if you use it to mix salt or to replace water that evaporated from the tank. The best way to prevent this from happening is to filter water through a RODI unit, although you can still get a diatom bloom when using RODI if the cartridge that removes silicates expires.
Diatoms are typically harmless to a captive reef and can be beaten once their food source expires. Once you put the end to the source, the outbreak should last a couple of weeks so just be patient and it will pass.

For major outbreaks you may want to consider the three day blackout. Diatoms are easily wiped from the glass with a mag float, a turkey baster or a toothbrush can access other areas of the tank. Be prepared for them to re-establish themselves quickly, they are likely to be able to resettle and have exponential growth rates.
To prevent their return, practice good aquarium husbandry by doing regular water changes, keep the substrate clean, don’t overfeed the fish, ensure your skimmer is running at an optimal level and rinse out filter socks and sponges on a regular basis.

Some cleaner crew to help control it are : Cerith snails, Nerite snails and Trochus snails and also Astraea snails are effective at removing diatoms.

 

[jdivz87]

These are diatoms which are a brown algae that typically appear in a reef tank that has just completed its cycle but they can also appear in an established reef tank. They can cover sand, rock, pumps, glass, you name it. Diatoms look ugly but in most cases they are harmless so the key is to not panic when they appear.
Diatoms feed mainly off of silicates but also consume dissolved organic compounds, phosphate and nitrates. Unfiltered tap water can contain silicates and is a good way to jump start a bloom if you use it to mix salt or to replace water that evaporated from the tank. The best way to prevent this from happening is to filter water through a RODI unit, although you can still get a diatom bloom when using RODI if the cartridge that removes silicates expires.
Diatoms are typically harmless to a captive reef and can be beaten once their food source expires. Once you put the end to the source, the outbreak should last a couple of weeks so just be patient and it will pass.

For major outbreaks you may want to consider the three day blackout. Diatoms are easily wiped from the glass with a mag float, a turkey baster or a toothbrush can access other areas of the tank. Be prepared for them to re-establish themselves quickly, they are likely to be able to resettle and have exponential growth rates.
To prevent their return, practice good aquarium husbandry by doing regular water changes, keep the substrate clean, don’t overfeed the fish, ensure your skimmer is running at an optimal level and rinse out filter socks and sponges on a regular basis.

Some cleaner crew to help control it are : Cerith snails, Nerite snails and Trochus snails and also Astraea snails are effective at removing diatoms.

You guys never fail me! Always so dang knowledgeable I appreciate this. I wasn’t panicking but didn’t know what to do lol

also when after cycled and how often and how much should I do for a water change - 40G Breeder

 

[vetteguy53081]

You guys never fail me! Always so dang knowledgeable I appreciate this. I wasn’t panicking but didn’t know what to do lol

also when after cycled and how often and how much should I do for a water change - 40G Breeder

If you want to do water change, vacuum the sand and brown areas lightly and replenish what you removed. A turkey baster should dislodge this stuff from the rocks

 

[jdivz87]

If you want to do water change, vacuum the sand and brown areas lightly and replenish what you removed. A turkey baster should dislodge this stuff from the rocks

Thank you sir! Was waiting for your response lol. But it doesn’t bother me honestly inknow it’s part of process. Is it 5% of water change typically I forget

 

[Lavey29]

And if there is a silicate source what do we do

A silicate source such as in your RODI can extend the diatoms stage. But I would wait and see if yours go away naturally in a few weeks. If you have prolonged diatom issues then you need to determine the source of the silicate.

 

[jdivz87]

A silicate source such as in your RODI can extend the diatoms stage. But I would wait and see if yours go away naturally in a few weeks. If you have prolonged diatom issues then you need to determine the source of the silicate.

Thank you

 

[jdivz87]

I’d like to update y’all.
Diatom blooms seems to be becoming less and less in less than a week. Added some CUC and they’ve been doing great!!!!!