Do diatoms mean my fish are in danger?

[Unitylover]

I think I have diatoms on my rocks. Ill get soe pics around 3 o clock

 

[Tamberav]

No, it's normal new tank. They go away when silica gets used up. CUC will eat them.

If you are still using tap and they don't eventually go away... then it could be silicates in the tap.

 

[Unitylover]

my tank is approx 2 months old. Is it too old? Ive heard diatoms feed off imbalances in ammonia and nitrite. I think I have high nitrate though, so is that a cause?

 

[Unitylover]

also what I think is diatoms is only on the glass and rocks, not on sand

 

[Tamberav]

my tank is approx 2 months old. Is it too old? Ive heard diatoms feed off imbalances in ammonia and nitrite. I think I have high nitrate though, so is that a cause?

It is normal in a 2 month old tank. They use silicates to make their shell. Once they burn through all the silica they vanish unless you are adding silica through something like tap water.



Post a pic

 

[Unitylover]

the cause is silicates and normal in a 2 month old tank. They use silicates to make their shell. Once they burn through all the silica they vanish unless you are adding silica through something like tap water.

I use tap, and cant afford a RODI unit.

 

[Tamberav]

I use tap, and cant afford a RODI unit, will disilled work?

yes distilled is fine. Avoid the jugs that say minerals added for taste. You want just plain distilled.

While diatoms like nutrients they are silica limited... so once that is gone... so are the diatoms.

 

[Unitylover]

Oh that will be impossible. Near us, almost all of the distilled water has "minerals added for taste"
Is there a way to decrease silica in other ways?

 

[Tamberav]

Oh that will be impossible. Near us, almost all of the distilled water has "minerals added for taste"
Is there a way to decrease silica in other ways?

walmart sells plain distilled

most places should have it... people use it in medical devices like cpap machines or even humidifiers.

 

[Unitylover]

oh is that great value distilled? great value distilled has an estimated ph of 5, which is a bit low

 

[Hoodstream]

I use tap, and cant afford a RODI unit.

There is a 50GPD rodi unit on amazon AQUATICLIFE Water Filtration System for $69.99 maybe save a little each week and get it. Night and day difference. I was using distilled for awhile and was like screw this. I’ve read that people in the 70-80s only uses tap and had aquariums for years but defiantly recommend a rodi. If you are using tap make sure to use Prime or another reputable dechlorinator.

 

[Unitylover]

Is API stress coat a reputable dechlorinator

 

[Unitylover]

There is a 50GPD rodi unit on amazon AQUATICLIFE Water Filtration System for $69.99 maybe save a little each week and get it. Night and day difference. I was using distilled for awhile and was like screw this. I’ve read that people in the 70-80s only uses tap and had aquariums for years but defiantly recommend a rodi. If you are using tap make sure to use Prime or another reputable dechlorinator.

Is there any cheap RO water? I only need RO, and if its cheap enough (20-30 bucks) I might get it in like a month or a few weeks

 

[Hoodstream]

Is API stress coat a reputable dechlorinator

Yeah definitely not terrible stay away from generic brands. Also if you have a skimmer Stress Coat marine I’d recommend. I was using Walmart and Walgreens distilled and buffing PH with Seachem Marine Buffer. I’ve used API stress for years in fresh.

 

[Unitylover]

Yeah definitely not terrible stay away from generic brands. Also if you have a skimmer Stress Coat marine I’d recommend. I was using Walmart and Walgreens distilled and buffing PH with Seachem Marine Buffer. I’ve used API stress for years in fresh.

I dont have a skimmer. Wait, so you're saying the AIP stress coat is fine? Ive been using it for 2 years in fresh, and should work in saltwater, right

 

[Hoodstream]

Is there any cheap RO water? I only need RO, and if its cheap enough (20-30 bucks) I might get it in like a month or a few weeks

I think cheapest on amazon is $60 for the 3 stage unit. If moneys an issue try affirm if you have ok credit. They have helped through big purchases. If that’s not possible just a suggestion.

I dont have a skimmer. Wait, so you're saying the AIP stress coat is fine? Ive been using it for 2 years in fresh, and should work in saltwater, right

Yes Stress Coat is fine! I always just recommend Seachem cause I’ve only had positive experiences with all their products.

 

[Unitylover]

I think cheapest on amazon is $60 for the 3 stage unit. If moneys an issue try affirm if you have ok credit. They have helped through big purchases. If that’s not possible just a suggestion.

Yes Stress Coat is fine! I always just recommend Seachem cause I’ve only had positive experiences with all their products.

the thing is, im not an adult, so no job ;Dead

 

[Forscythe]

I dont have a skimmer. Wait, so you're saying the AIP stress coat is fine? Ive been using it for 2 years in fresh, and should work in saltwater, right

I think he means that he uses Stress Coat in his freshwater tanks only.

 

[Forscythe]

I think he means that he uses Stress Coat in his freshwater tanks only.

Nevermind, my bad lol

 

[Unitylover]

I think he means that he uses Stress Coat in his freshwater tanks only.

Ive been using in my saltwater since setup. Just asking if anythings wrong with it, then Ill get a diff brand next time. I like getting chemicals that work in both fresh and salt (exception of my plant fertilizer)