Diatoms

[rob safron]

I have a 10 year old 120 gallon reef. Last 6 week I have been fighting Diatoms and can’t figure out where they came from and what else to do. Seems to get a little better here or there and then come back with vengeance. I use RODI water only, always Tests 0 TDS and I went ahead and changed all my media anyway just to try something. Nothing new has gone into the tank. I am sure it’s diatoms and if only silicate causes it as well as my tank being 10 years old, what am I missing? Phosphate runs 0-.02 and Nitrate stays between 1-4. I stopped dosing AF ABEV just to be sure that’s not the issue. Could ULNS cause it?

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Could it be one or some of your rodi filters need changed?

 

[rob safron]

Eve though the TDS was showing zero I did change the filters anyway. In fact I went with Kent H-S DI Rensin. No change in tank.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

How about your flow any changes there? Could your power head be getting slow

 

[Jason mack]

Could be an unbalance in bacteria , I would add some dr.tims or something similar .. see if that helps ... I also treat all my rodi water with seachems prime .. that’s helped me I believe .!

 

[rob safron]

So I did switch from Wav pumps to 2 gyre. Seems to me to be much more flow. Not scientific but my polyps move at least as much and I see flow going across the bottom now.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

So I did switch from Wav pumps to 2 gyre. Seems to me to be much more flow. Not scientific but my polyps move at least as much and I see flow going across the bottom now.

Bingo!

 

[NowGlazeIT]

An old reefer told me the same story when he switched from ecotcech to gyre

 

[rob safron]

I do and have dosed vinegar for more than a year. I use microbacter 7 every several days. Maybe I’ll stop and see if I get a change.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I think it will settle tho might just be kicking up silicates that the old pump wasn’t stirring up

 

[rob safron]

However, even if flow is less that I don’t see, I though Diatom is silicate related.

 

[rob safron]

Didn’t know silicate could hide like that. But yes I believe I’m getting much better flow behind and through the rock work than I did with Wav.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Silicates can rest and build up in areas of low flow especially sand beds

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Give it Time brotha more flow is a good thing!