Diatoms Question...

[excellensephotos]

I'm currently running my skimmer 2 HOB Filters with charcoal and denitrate and PhosGuard and bio media. I currently have diatoms all over inside my tank. My Nitrates 0 Ammonia 0 PH 8.2. Is there any advice do I leave the diatoms alone or take them out? Also running the skimmer is it ok when diatoms are present?

 

[dwest]

Welcome!

If your tank is new, then just try not to worry about diatoms. Good RODI water and regular aquarium husbandry will take care of them over time.

I do have a piece of advice that I hope you listen to. I highly recommend that you do not try to remove nitrates and phosphates at this point. IME your diatoms will be overtaken by dinos. Then you do have a problem.

 

[DeniableArc]

I would check the tds of your rodi wate assuming you have one. Diatoms are generally associated with new tanks or high silicates in makeup water

 

[ScottR]

Welcome! Are you using RODI? Typical tap water may contain silicates which the diatoms use to build their “shells”. Once silicates disappear, so do the diatoms. (Sand and rock can also contain). Like @dwest said, it’s best to ride it out. It’s common in new tanks. You said you’re using Phosguard which also removes silicates. It’s possible that if it’s removed all your silicates that you may something else. Have you confirmed your diatoms by microscope? Any pics?

 

[excellensephotos]

Welcome! Are you using RODI? Typical tap water may contain silicates which the diatoms use to build their “shells”. Once silicates disappear, so do the diatoms. (Sand and rock can also contain). Like @dwest said, it’s best to ride it out. It’s common in new tanks. You said you’re using Phosguard which also removes silicates. It’s possible that if it’s removed all your silicates that you may something else. Have you confirmed your diatoms by microscope? Any pics?

They are brown but have bubbles all over the tank. I guess my question is do I turn off my Skimmer and take out the Seachem DeNitrate Media? Since I need to keep my Nitrates up and PhosGuard is diminished. After 4 days of use it turned the media dark brown. I didn't know that having 0 nitrates was not good when cycling I thought I was supposed to get everything to 0 and keep it there but I was wrong. So please nurture my mind with professional advice and thanks for the prompt responses.

 

[Spare time]

They are brown but have bubbles all over the tank. I guess my question is do I turn off my Skimmer and take out the Seachem DeNitrate Media? Since I need to keep my Nitrates up and PhosGuard is diminished. After 4 days of use it turned the media dark brown. I didn't know that having 0 nitrates was not good when cycling I thought I was supposed to get everything to 0 and keep it there but I was wrong. So please nurture my mind with professional advice and thanks for the prompt responses.

Brown with bubble sounds more like dinos, especially if they look snot like instead of dusty (let us know if they look like that) . Raise your nitrates to at least 5 and keep phosphates above 0. Dinos thrive when you have 0 waste levels as they don't have much competition and for some reason they an tolerate zeros.

 

[excellensephotos]

Welcome! Are you using RODI? Typical tap water may contain silicates which the diatoms use to build their “shells”. Once silicates disappear, so do the diatoms. (Sand and rock can also contain). Like @dwest said, it’s best to ride it out. It’s common in new tanks. You said you’re using Phosguard which also removes silicates. It’s possible that if it’s removed all your silicates that you may something else. Have you confirmed your diatoms by microscope? Any pics?

 

[Spare time]

Those look more like Dinos. Just raise your nitrate above 5 and phosphates above 0.03. If they get high enough, you can dose some competitive bacteria.

 

[Bfragale]

I agree- looks and sounds like Dino’s. I’m currently fighting it, I’m doing 1ml per 10 gal hydrogen peroxide, also doing vibrant.

did 3 day black out.

I’ve seen it reduce but not go away yet.

may try dosing silicate to get diatoms to our compete, but going to try the hydrogen peroxide and vibrant first.

 

[Spare time]

I agree- looks and sounds like Dino’s. I’m currently fighting it, I’m doing 1ml per 10 gal hydrogen peroxide, also doing vibrant.

did 3 day black out.

I’ve seen it reduce but not go away yet.

may try dosing silicate to get diatoms to our compete, but going to try the hydrogen peroxide and vibrant first.

Don't use vibrant unless you have the nitrates and phosphates to support it.

 

[Bfragale]

Don't use vibrant unless you have the nitrates and phosphates to support it.

my nitrates ate 10 and po4 .25.

not sure if this is high enough.

 

[Spare time]

my nitrates ate 10 and po4 .25.

not sure if this is high enough.

I think that is high enough, jsut make sure they don't bottom out.

 

[Bfragale]

I think that is high enough, jsut make sure they don't bottom out.

Will do! Thank you!