Diatoms, how to remove?

[Gbailey28]

I have a new tank that has been setup for a little over three months now. It is a 125 gal display tank with a 40 gal sump, total water volume is approx 130 gal. In the last few weeks I have had a diatom breakout. I dose NOPOX everyday. All of my water perimeters are within range. I do weekly water changes, about 15 gal per week. What is the best way to get rid of this? My latest readings 2 days ago were as follows.

Nitrate 1ppm
Alk 2.8meq 7.8dkh
Cal 410ppm
Phosphate.02ppm
Mag 1440 ppm
Thank you in advance!

 

[Ty Hamatake]

Diatoms are really just a part of having a new tank. They feed off of the silicates (mainly from the sand) and will go away once they've eaten all that's available. It's best to just let them run their course by giving it time. Trying to get rid of them by stirring the sand or aggressively vacuuming can sometimes only make it worse by releasing more silicates back into the water.