Diatoms?

[Arcticfirefighter]

Is it normal for diatoms to cover everything? It had been getting worse for the past 2 weeks. Started on the flat surfaces of the rocks first, then moved to the sand, and now the other surfaces of the rocks. I can get it to go away on the sand with a light blast from a Turkey baster; however, it does not really come off the rocks. Tank is just under 2 months old.

It is just flat brown, there are no strings or bubbles. All parameters are within normal range with the exception of the Ca and PH.
My Calcium is high at 530 according to API, and my PH is low at 7.8. I started dosing Seachem AquaVitro Eight.Four 3 days ago to try and raise the PH.

So a good case of Diatoms or something else?

 

[Daniel91]

A part of the cycle. Some people call it “new tank syndrome” with a solid CUC and good husbandry it will go away by itself eventually.

If your other parameters are stable you should not chase higher PH. Secondly it changes throughout the day.

 

[Arcticfirefighter]

A part of the cycle. Some people call it “new tank syndrome” with a solid CUC and good husbandry it will go away by itself eventually.

If your other parameters are stable you should not chase higher PH. Secondly it changes throughout the day.

I appreciate it! I was going with the fact it was diatoms or the ugly phase, I just got worried a bit because it came on quick and is sticking around.

I have been taking my PH readings at night around the same time. I guess I should do a few readings in the morning as well and see what they average over a few days. I will hold off on the 8.4 for a while. Thanks again!

 

[Taby]

Could be dinoflagellate, could be just diatoms. Dinos usually appears in my system when I strip the water of phosphate and nitrate. Ive read many threads many people believe it's due to excess nutrients, others believe it's due to ultra low nutrient system allowing them to out compete other bacteria / algae for real estate. Could be diatoms a bloom due to the introduction of silicates maybe in the water for your top off or water change, maybe in additives.