Diatoms?

[Techie_]

Hey guys, I'm very new to this hobby, right around 2.5 months in and learning extremely fast (thanks @Humblefish and @Diesel). But below are some pictures of my tank and what I believe is a fairly concerning diatom bloom. Can anyone guide me in the right direction?

 

[Diesel]

Po4?
No3?
PH?
Maybe you don't have these test kits yet but you need some of these after your first cycle.
Tank is still a baby tank and needs to mature more.
When and how often and how much water change (WC) you do?
You run through a sump with a skimmer?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

And a fairly common thing in a new tank.
Looks like a HOB in the bottom pic. Its a fine thing btw.

 

[Techie_]

Po4?
No3?
PH?
Maybe you don't have these test kits yet but you need some of these after your first cycle.
Tank is still a baby tank and needs to mature more.
When and how often and how much water change (WC) you do?
You run through a sump with a skimmer?

No skimmer or sump, might get an HOB skimmer... I don't have those test kits either. Once a week 10% and add Aquavito Alpha.

EDIT: I have No3 and PH, let me test really quick...

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Let it grow and mow it down. It'll pass. Check the filter at water change time and make sure its full of gunk, if not re pack it. Rinse the media not wash.
The oversize aquaclears I had worked better than the hob skimmers Ive had. IME just cuz it says skimmer doesnt mean it works.
I have always had an HOB refugium with chato on ALL of my non sump tanks 5g to 30g. Really makes a difference. The amazon breeder box is $15 plus air pump.
Gotta clean it too.

 

[Techie_]

Let it grow and mow it down. It'll pass. Check the filter at water change time and make sure its full of gunk, if not re pack it. Rinse the media not wash.
The oversize aquaclears I had worked better than the hob skimmers Ive had. IME just cuz it says skimmer doesnt mean it works.
I have always had an HOB refugium with chato on ALL of my non sump tanks 5g to 30g. Really makes a difference. The amazon breeder box is $15 plus air pump.
Gotta clean it too.

Thank you for the input. I'll look into it!

@Diesel pH is 7.5, No3 & No2 are at 0ppm

 

[Diesel]

Thank you for the input. I'll look into it!

@Diesel pH is 7.5, No3 & No2 are at 0ppm

The PH need to come up.
What kind of salt are you using and what water you use to mix?
Is your salt at 1.026?

 

[Techie_]

The PH need to come up.
What kind of salt are you using and what water you use to mix?
Is your salt at 1.026?

Salt is at 1.026 exactly according to my refractometer, using IO Reef Crystals mixed with RODI @ 0 TDS from the product line.

How should I raise my pH?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

The PH need to come up.

pH is 7.5,

Airstone. Then airstone+ refugium.

 

[Techie_]

Airstone. Then airstone+ refugium.

Airstone as in just the airline to make bubbles, or am I missing something here... Also can you give me a link to a decent HOB fuge?

 

[bairdimusprime]

very common for a new tank, a strong clean up crew will take care of it. this is common in the early stages of ANY tank.
water changes always help and if you dont have reactors Chemipure blue or phosphate controlling poly filters are good too

 

[Techie_]

very common for a new tank, a strong clean up crew will take care of it. this is common in the early stages of ANY tank.
water changes always help and if you dont have reactors Chemipure blue or phosphate controlling poly filters are good too

Will definately test for phosphates soon and pick up a few filters to shove in my HOB, thank you!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

A must read.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/
Also anything he writes really. He and Dana Riddle.

HOB breeder
http://www.amazon.com/Marina-Hang-O...F8&qid=1455140746&sr=8-2&keywords=hob+breeder

Although I must say I never used anything but carbon for the first several years in reefing. Prime perhaps. And Mag and 2 part. Floss carbon and LR in the Aquaclear.
There are many ways to skin the cat.

Phosphates
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/
Chemistry
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

BTW I never had a massive algae cyano or diatom bloom. Finally got a big bad cyano last oct.
cured it with a big wash, more light and a hob refugium. And no skimmer.
Why skin the cat if ya don't enjoy a few scratches

 

[Sabellafella]

Tanks lookin good bud, yea give it some time your tanks fairly new. It takes a while for everything (bacteria,algae,ph) to reach your tanks medium. Grab some snails and hermits,theyre cool and will do some if the cleaningup for you

 

[Humblefish]

Looks like diatoms to me. It will go away on its own after all the silicates are used up in the water (probably leaching from your sand.) Astraea, Cerith, Nerite (and other) snails all eat diatoms as well.

 

[Techie_]

Looks like diatoms to me. It will go away on its own after all the silicates are used up in the water (probably leaching from your sand.) Astraea, Cerith, Nerite (and other) snails all eat diatoms as well.

I'll have to order another 20 or so from LA soon from what I'm understanding, but at 1 buck a piece I'm not complaining!

 

[chris124]

If you use tap water to rinse the dust from your new filters try rinsing them in a little rodi water before putting them in the pump. Because if I rinse my filter socks in tap water and don't rinse them with rodi before putting them in the sump I get diatoms. Just something you can try.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

If you use tap water to rinse the dust from your new filters try rinsing them in a little rodi water before putting them in the pump. Because if I rinse my filter socks in tap water and don't rinse them with rodi before putting them in the sump I get diatoms. Just something you can try.

Really?
Man I though my water was rough.

 

[Techie_]

If you use tap water to rinse the dust from your new filters try rinsing them in a little rodi water before putting them in the pump. Because if I rinse my filter socks in tap water and don't rinse them with rodi before putting them in the sump I get diatoms. Just something you can try.

I don't have a sump, but I'll note this for when I do get one!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

That Goes for all your rinsable bits.
I dont have that prob. Chlorine here.