Help identify diatoms

[Garold R Seifert]

My tank is about 4-6 weeks old. I used cycled bio balls from previous owner and also used fritz bacteria. I've started to notice brown in the sand and the tank walls and on the Marine pure blocks in the back and think it's diatoms but would like to make sure it is and what to do. I'm going to make a light guard for the back Chambers.

 

[geddavis]

Yes fairly sure it’s diatoms. They are hardly an issue just look ugly and bother the coral a bit. They are perfectly normal in a new tank. I heard of a method of determining what it is by putting it in a glass of water and shaking it. Not quite sure so you should look it up.

 

[Garold R Seifert]

Thank you. I've read the best method is to just leave them alone and not clean off the glass or sand. Is that what you would suggest?

 

[ReeferReefer]

Dont worry about it. Diatoms are perfectly normal and should subside in the coming months.

Yes, clean the glass, if only to improve your viewing.

They will go away on their own.

 

[Qasimja]

looks like the standard brown diatoms that come when you setup new tanks after the cycle they will burn off after a while

 

[Garold R Seifert]

Thank you everyone! There was a lot of snails on the glass today. Hopefully they do a good job keeping the glass clean