Diatoms/Cyano Options

[Jfinn]

Choose one:

A - GFO
B - 3 day blackout
C - more CUC
D - chemical warfare (chemiclean)
E - do nothing

Red Sea Reefer 350 (2 months old)
2x MP40s
Current EFLUX 6009 Return pump
Aquamaxx ConeS Q-3 Skimmer
2x marine pure blocks
25ppm nitrates/ 3ppb phosphorus = 0.009ppm phosphates

 

[Idoc]

Looks like diatoms to me...

They will work themselves out of the system on their own once the silicates are used up. But, there are a few cuc members that supposedly eat it.

 

[Terry Mattson]

2 months...very normal. More uglies to come. But it will get better.

 

[ArmyReefer]

Choose one:

A - GFO
B - 3 day blackout
C - more CUC
D - chemical warfare (chemiclean)
E - do nothing

Red Sea Reefer 350 (2 months old)
2x MP40s
Current EFLUX 6009 Return pump
Aquamaxx ConeS Q-3 Skimmer
2x marine pure blocks
25ppm nitrates/ 3ppb phosphorus = 0.009ppm phosphates

I would not worry to much after only 2 months, but I would for sure use some GFO and try and get your phosphate down to under .1 it will do wonders for helping the algae grow

 

[Bret Brinkmann]

...
25ppm nitrates/ 3ppb phosphorus = 0.009ppm phosphates

I would not worry to much after only 2 months, but I would for sure use some GFO and try and get your phosphate down to under .1 it will do wonders for helping the algae grow

The phosphates are 0.009 ppm (parts per million) or 9 ppb parts per billion). Target should be 0.1 ppm (parts per million), therefore dosing phosphates would be recommended to help prevent dinos from blooming.

Seachem Flourish is a good source. Feeding more will raise other things you don't want raised, like nitrates which are good as is, and insight a cyanobacteria bloom.

Most snails will eat diatoms. One of the byproducts of diatom metabolism is PUAs, polyunsaturated aldehydes, which are toxic to dinos. Thus why some people try to get them to bloom during a dino outbreak.

 

[Jfinn]

The phosphates are 0.009 ppm (parts per million) or 9 ppb parts per billion). Target should be 0.1 ppm (parts per million), therefore dosing phosphates would be recommended to help prevent dinos from blooming.

Seachem Flourish is a good source. Feeding more will raise other things you don't want raised, like nitrates which are good as is, and insight a cyanobacteria bloom.

Most snails will eat diatoms. One of the byproducts of diatom metabolism is PUAs, polyunsaturated aldehydes, which are toxic to dinos. Thus why some people try to get them to bloom during a dino outbreak.

I have a Hanna phosphorus checker so have to convert from phosphorus to phosphate. Super sensitive but a pain to convert (got it cheap though. I’m wondering if the readings are low because of the uptake - I’ve heard that can sway the results and that the available phosphate becomes impossible to quantify. ???

My next step is to add a bit of GFO to compete with anything that may try to develop. I trust the diatoms will go away with it or a blackout if that don’t work.

 

[mta_morrow]

I have a Hanna phosphorus checker so have to convert from phosphorus to phosphate. Super sensitive but a pain to convert (got it cheap though. I’m wondering if the readings are low because of the uptake - I’ve heard that can sway the results and that the available phosphate becomes impossible to quantify. ???

My next step is to add a bit of GFO to compete with anything that may try to develop. I trust the diatoms will go away with it or a blackout if that don’t work.

Use this Hanna conversion chart. Then it’s not a pain to convert

 

[mta_morrow]

I would do nothing at all at this point for any of your parameters.

Just water changes, and feed the fish well.

 

[Nicholas Dushynsky]

I'd say do E. It will go on it's own. We're back to the old patience thing again that this hobby teaches us.;Stop

 

[DesertReefT4r]

I would also just wait it out. 2 months old it normal for diatoms to bloom and it will fade away on its own.

 

[Jfinn]

Thanks I think you all talked me out of a mistake probably. I’ll be patient and stick to water changes.