Dino’s or diatoms?

ChadmRoman · Sep 18, 2018

started my cycle 5 weeks ago
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrites - .5 ppm just starting falling past two days
Nitrates - 10 ppm
I thought I was getting into the ugly stage but after reading some posts, I’m starting to second guess the diatoms are actually Dino’s. Can someone tell me what this is?

sfin52 · Sep 18, 2018

Diatoms most likely. New tank uglies.

ChadmRoman · Sep 18, 2018

sfin52 said:
Diatoms most likely. New tank uglies.

I hope so but what I’m reading has me doubting it’s diatoms.

sfin52 · Sep 18, 2018

What's your po4 . Dino become really happy in ulns (ultra low nutrient system). Diatoms are extremely common in New tanks, 5 weeks and your tank is cycling diatoms is most likely what you are seeing.

ChadmRoman · Sep 18, 2018

sfin52 said:
What's your po4 . Dino become really happy in ulns (ultra low nutrient system). Diatoms are extremely common in New tanks, 5 weeks and your tank is cycling diatoms is most likely what you are seeing.

Just took the reading .25 ppm.
Got the same results testing my RO water. Using aquatic life RO system. Not sure this matters.

sfin52 · Sep 19, 2018

Just means your po4 is high but let the tank mature and take it slow. Diatoms new tank uglies. A di resin chamber will reduce that number to zero . Po4 is added to a system from fish waste and food.

ChadmRoman · Sep 19, 2018

sfin52 said:
Just means your po4 is high but let the tank mature and take it slow. Diatoms new tank uglies. A di resin chamber will reduce that number to zero . Po4 is added to a system from fish waste and food.

Thank you for the reply. I will let the tank ride this stage out before adding any fish. Man there’s so much more to learn when adding salt to water.