Diatoms or cyno?

Williamthegr88 · Apr 23, 2017

So I can't seem to get this algae to stop growing on sand bed started more regular water changes stirring sand bed once a week more of a clean up crew to help turning down reds on light and more flow nothing seems to work any input would be appreciated thanks water Paramus are calcium 460 dkh 8.9 magnesium 1360 nitrates 0 and phosphate 0

Broadfield · Apr 23, 2017

First off, how long has the tank been set up? Looks like diatoms to me... which is just a phase of a new tank cycle. Diatoms feed off of silicates. So once the silicates are all used up, then the diatoms will disappear as fast as they appeared! The main contributor to silicates in a reef tank is your sand. So if you ever add more sand in the future, you could possibly get another diatom bloom.

Williamthegr88 · Apr 23, 2017

Broadfield said:
First off, how long has the tank been set up? Looks like diatoms to me... which is just a phase of a new tank cycle. Diatoms feed off of silicates. So once the silicates are all used up, then the diatoms will disappear as fast as they appeared! The main contributor to silicates in a reef tank is your sand. So if you ever add more sand in the future, you could possibly get another diatom bloom.

The tank is 8.5 months old and really I have read about silicates in other post never knew they were from the sand tho thanks for the info so there nothing I can really do about it besides wait?

Broadfield · Apr 25, 2017

Diatoms are usually gone by this point in a cycle. Just to make sure, you are using RO/DI for your top offs and mixing up salt water for water changes? I would like to see more pictures so we(R2) can try to better identify what you have... to make sure it is indeed diatoms. But yes, typically waiting it out is the only solution. I have never had any luck with cleanup crews taking care of it.

JustAnt · Apr 25, 2017

If it's only on the sand a diamond back goby - which filters sand through its gills- took care of it for me. The fish has lots of personality but will move your sand around

Williamthegr88 · Apr 25, 2017

Broadfield said:
Diatoms are usually gone by this point in a cycle. Just to make sure, you are using RO/DI for your top offs and mixing up salt water for water changes? I would like to see more pictures so we(R2) can try to better identify what you have... to make sure it is indeed diatoms. But yes, typically waiting it out is the only solution. I have never had any luck with cleanup crews taking care of it.

Yea I make my own to/do water and I have a tds meter it usually reads between 1and 0 and yes it's only on sand and more pics to come I actually just stirred sand yesterday it's starting to grow I'll post pic tomorrow

nvolkern · Apr 25, 2017

I had the same thing on my tank, tried everything. Went to my LFS and they introduced me to waste away. It's a 3 day process, on the 3rd day you'll want to add re-fresh. Worked amazing for my tank! I used Dr Tim's aquatics waste away and Dr Tim's aquatics re-fresh. Good luck!

Williamthegr88 · Apr 26, 2017

Ok here is a new pic with white lights turned up

beaslbob · Apr 26, 2017

cyano

beaslbob · Apr 26, 2017

try chaeto in a refugium

Kill the lights until that cyano dies off.

then resume with less lights and adjust so the corraline/macros thrive but cyano does not come back.

FWIW very common at the 6-12 month point.

Chris Graham · Jul 6, 2017

I am also having an issue with what appears to be brown Cyno?? Tank is about 2 years old but I bought it from someone about 4 month ago and have done 4-25% water changes(once a month with RODI & RS Pro Salt) to get the nutrients down. Problem is now that the nutrients and parameters are good this Brown Algae has started to grow and continue to get worse!! Here is what I have.
20 Gal mixed reef
2- Current Marine Orbit LED on 12 hour ramped cycle
HOB Reef Octo 1000 Protein Skimmer
HOB Aqueon QF50
2-Koralia 425 on wavemaker
Temp 78.5-80.5
pH 8.16-8.30
PO4 .04
NO3 <1
SiO2 0
Alk 9.8 dKH
Ca 400
ORP 320-334

dbrewsky · Jul 6, 2017

Chris Graham said:
I am also having an issue with what appears to be brown Cyno?? Tank is about 2 years old but I bought it from someone about 4 month ago and have done 4-25% water changes(once a month with RODI & RS Pro Salt) to get the nutrients down. Problem is now that the nutrients and parameters are good this Brown Algae has started to grow and continue to get worse!! Here is what I have.
20 Gal mixed reef
2- Current Marine Orbit LED on 12 hour ramped cycle
HOB Reef Octo 1000 Protein Skimmer
HOB Aqueon QF50
2-Koralia 425 on wavemaker
Temp 78.5-80.5
pH 8.16-8.30
PO4 .04
NO3 <1
SiO2 0
Alk 9.8 dKH
Ca 400
ORP 320-334