Diatoms!!!

[DakotahSteel]

I’ve officially hit the first stage of the uglies with this 1000s. “30 days wet” I’ve had a pretty decent diatom bloom the past couple of days. I don’t want to just pump the tank full of additives to make it go away.
What I’m trying to figure out is the general time period from diatoms to GHA? I’ve got a couple of fish and a small cuc so far. Don’t want to rush anything just trying to figure out what I should expect?

 

[CoralClasher]

Pictures with just white lights please.

 

[DakotahSteel]

Pictures with just white lights please.

Don’t have a clue how to work mobius to do just whites

 

[shakacuz]

adding phyto and copepods will help reduce and eliminate it. nerite snails and astrea snails (ninja star) are said to consume diatoms!

 

[DakotahSteel]

adding phyto and copepods will help reduce and eliminate it. nerite snails and astrea snails (ninja star) are said to consume diatoms!

Already doing this! I’ve done a couple jars of galaxy pods from algae barn and they’re phyto combo. I read that pods should help but haven’t seen a huge difference honestly

 

[CoralClasher]

Is the water a little cloudy?

 

[DakotahSteel]

Is the water a little cloudy?

Yes some days better then others

 

[CoralClasher]

Are you running a skimmer?

 

[DakotahSteel]

Are you running a skimmer?

I am not. LFS said not to turn it on the first month to month and a half. I’ve just been letting nature do it’s thing

 

[CoralClasher]

I don’t run a skimmer but I do have a air pump outside with a wooden air stone. If it’s a bacteria bloom it can use up the oxygen.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Don’t have a clue how to work mobius to do just whites

Diatoms they are.
Diatoms are a brown algae that typically appear in a tank which has just completed its cycle but they can also appear in an established reef tank and looks ugly but in most cases are harmless and feed mainly off of silicates as well as dissolved organic compounds, phosphate and nitrates. Tap water can contain silicates and is a good way to get a bloom if you use it to mix salt or to replace water that evaporated from the tank. Using an RODI unit helps, although you can still get diatoms with an RODI unit if the cartridge that removes silicates becomes expired.
Diatoms are typically harmless and can be beaten once their food source is gone.
For major outbreaks you may want to consider a three day blackout. They are easily wiped from the glass with a mag float, a turkey baster or a toothbrush can cover other areas of the tank. Be prepared for them to re-establish themselves quickly after a cleaning as they are likely to be able to reappear and have re-growth rates.
To prevent their return, do regular water changes, keep the bedding clean, don’t overfeed tank, ensure your skimmer is running at an optimal level and keep filter socks and sponges clean on a regular basis.
Some cleaner crew to help control it are : Cerith snails, Nerite snails and Trochus snails and also Astraea snails are effective at removing diatoms.