How long are these diatoms going to last?

[whitasm]

For reference I’ve had my tank set up and going since august 20th. I noticed the diatoms about 3 weeks ago and as of Sunday cleared off the rocks almost completely. Now we’re right back to where I was before, just 3 days later. I have provided pictures of the tank when the rock was cleared on Sunday and now. Any ideas as to how long this lasts I understand it is part of the process but just curious as to when it’ll slow down. I am using RODI water from a new system I got about 2 months ago.

 

[Mikeeal]

Time to throw in a CUC and watch em mow it down in no time.

 

[whitasm]

Time to throw in a CUC and watch em mow it down in no time.

I have 3 snails in there now but it seems like I’m going to need a lot more. I see trails along the rock or where they have been but it looks like there’s only 1 snail eating it and it’s the trochus so it looks like I need some more of those guys. Feels like im having to replace him on the rocks every few days tho after he flips upside down in the sand lol.

 

[Dav2996]

Just get a UV sterilizer and diatoms can’t reproduce anymore because Uv strips the water column of their floating babies.