Diatoms

[Craig’s reef]

I have a diatom problem which I just can’t seem to brake,
I’m running a Red Sea reefer 250 with AI HD 26. X2.
With a nyos quantum 120
Tanks been running for three months
Would you have a solution to break its problem I have..

Many Thanks

 

[Retro Reefer]

Welcome to the forum! Some pictures of your tank will help

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R!!! ^^^Agree.

 

[Craig’s reef]

I have a diatom problem which I just can’t seem to brake,
I’m running a Red Sea reefer 250 with AI HD 26. X2.
With a nyos quantum 120
Would you have a solution to break its problem I have..

Many Thanks

 

[dwest]

Welcome to the forum! Some pictures of your tank will help

Plus we know we are going to have an ugly stage whenever setting up a new tank. In general, diatoms are going to happen, so just be patient and let them run their course.

 

[Craig’s reef]

Plus we know we are going to have an ugly stage whenever setting up a new tank. In general, diatoms are going to happen, so just be patient and let them run their course.

Thank you for your reply,
Would you know of how long this runs for or a way of cleaning it out
Or any way of adding something to remote it at all

 

[Ruben's Reef]

!!! Welcome to R2R !!! Diatoms are normal on a new tank. It’s an stage that we all went thru and even sometimes can shows up at anytime. Don’t forget to post some pictures of your tank. Happy reefing !!!

 

[dwest]

Thank you for your reply,
Would you know of how long this runs for or a way of cleaning it out
Or any way of adding something to remote it at all

Good things happen slowly. Think months or years vs hours or days. If you clean it out, it will likely come back. If you let it run its course distoms will likely consume whatever they are feeding on and/or be outcompeted by other life forms. You’ll likely see green hair algae, then eventually pink coralline. At that stage, that’s when your tank starts to mature.

 

[Craig’s reef]

Good things happen slowly. Think months or years vs hours or days. If you clean it out, it will likely come back. If you let it run its course distoms will likely consume whatever they are feeding on and/or be outcompeted by other life forms. You’ll likely see green hair algae, then eventually pink coralline. At that stage, that’s when your tank starts to mature.

Brill that’s great news, thank you for all that help

 

[dbl]

Welcome to R2R. The diatoms are typically just a stage in a new tank and will usually just run their course, but it can take time. It's a good test of patience which is critical to success in this nutty hobby.

 

[JasonK84]

About the first year you will have the normal tank uglies. Sometimes less time but you will encounter diatoms, bacterial bloom, cyano, green hair algae, and finally, if you seed your tank with it, then coralline algae will start to cover everything (that's a good sign).
Just continue on a weekly or bi-monthly water change schedule and let nature take its course. A tooth brush can help with excessive build up.

 

[Billldg]

Welcome to R2R!!! Great advice from awesome reefers!!!

 

[JasonK84]

Just to give a pic of my tank uglies so you know we aren't just talking. Tank was set up in February and this pic was taken in mid October. The tank has a massive bioload for its size, which isn't helping, but the fish there are Moving to my newly cycled 120 this weekend (hopefully). This pic is after my bacterial bloom, diatom battle, cyano battle, and this is GHA that is just now starting to clear up.

I've shown you mine, now show me yours!! Lol

 

[Craig’s reef]

I have a diatom problem which I just can’t seem to brake,
I’m running a Red Sea reefer 250 with AI HD 26. X2.
With a nyos quantum 120
Tanks been running for three months
Would you have a solution to break its problem I have..

Many Thanks

So are you saying to leave my lighting alone
And not just use blues..
but what Red Sea recommend For the AI HD 26 then

 

[JasonK84]

So are you saying to leave my lighting alone
And not just use blues..
but what Red Sea recommend For the AI HD 26 then

Do you have any coral or anemone? How long are the lights on? What intensity? There may be some adjustments that could be made but without knowing some of this info we couldn't know. Also, have you tested nitrate and phosphate? Are you using RODI water for mixing saltwater & top off water?

 

[Craig’s reef]

Do you have any coral or anemone? How long are the lights on? What intensity? There may be some adjustments that could be made but without knowing some of this info we couldn't know. Also, have you tested nitrate and phosphate? Are you using RODI water for mixing saltwater & top off water?

I have corals yes,

 

[JasonK84]

I have corals yes,

@Dana Riddle do you see any issues with this light schedule?

 

[Craig’s reef]

Do you have any coral or anemone? How long are the lights on? What intensity? There may be some adjustments that could be made but without knowing some of this info we couldn't know. Also, have you tested nitrate and phosphate? Are you using RODI water for mixing saltwater & top off water?

Yes using my own RO-DI Water with Red Sea salt
I have no TDS or nitrates or even phosphite

 

[JasonK84]

Yes using my own RO-DI Water with Red Sea salt
I have no TDS or nitrates or even phosphite

Do you have any pics of your tank? This would also help in seeing the severity of the situation. we are left to imagine the condition and may be way off base. Also, there is a nuisance algae forum that you could get help from as well. That's where the algae pros hang out.
Good luck with the tank!

 

[Dana Riddle]

@Dana Riddle do you see any issues with this light schedule?

As far as duration - looks fine. I'm confused about the spectra - the one with some cool white looks OK. Intensity - do you have any PAR measurements?