I have a diatom algae bloom. I need help big time.

[chris124]

I tested my water and here are the results Temp 76,nitrate 0ppm,nitrite 0ppm,amonia 0ppm,ph 8.0. This problem started after a replaced my T5 light with leds. Im doing water changes every two weeks and like I said I didn't have this problem until I got the leds. The tank is almost three years old and never really went through the diatom stage during setup. The bloom has been going for about three weeks and is still growing like wild fire. Any ideas would be great. Thanks.

 

[ReefMadScientist]

 

[chris124]

Ok. I will pick one up and let you know.

 

[ReefMadScientist]

Ok. I will pick one up and let you know.

If you're going to a LFS, just take your water and have them check it so you can buy whatever you need there.

So you will definitely need a PO4 test kit (salifert or Hanna), and you may need some PO4 remover. I always use a little GFO (VERY SMALL AMOUNT) to get rid of the excess PO4.

 

[Wiz]

Lighting change usually causes an algal bloom. Normal I think

 

[chris124]

If you're going to a LFS, just take your water and have them check it so you can buy whatever you need there.

So you will definitely need a PO4 test kit (salifert or Hanna), and you may need some PO4 remover. I always use a little GFO (VERY SMALL AMOUNT) to get rid of the excess PO4.

Ok will do. Thanks.

 

[chris124]

Lighting change usually causes an algal bloom. Normal I think

Well I guess I will find out after testing for p04.

 

[Coralfornialiving]

I had an algae bloom. I was told to turn my light off an do water changes . I had also bought a phosphate reactor and borrowed my buddys uv sterilizer. Give it a couple days and everything should be good.

 

[lakereef]

Have a pictures of the "diatoms"? I would be surprised if they are not something else since diatoms feed on silicates and most likely wouldn't start growing after a lighting change.

 

[chris124]

Have a pictures of the "diatoms"? I would be surprised if they are not something else since diatoms feed on silicates and most likely wouldn't start growing after a lighting change.

Here's some pics.

 

[lakereef]

https://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

Check out the link above. I suspect it's dinos or cyno, hard to tell from the pictures. Little trapped air bubbles can occur with both, which I see in the picture. I personally would let your nitrate levels rise a bit while assuring the phosphate levels stay low. Water change can help with Cyno, or make Dinos worse. Would recommend reading up on the redfield ratio.

 

[chris124]

https://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

Check out the link above. I suspect it's dinos or cyno, hard to tell from the pictures. Little trapped air bubbles can occur with both, which I see in the picture. I personally would let your nitrate levels rise a bit while assuring the phosphate levels stay low. Water change can help with Cyno, or make Dinos worse. Would recommend reading up on the redfield ratio.

Ok if its dinos what do I need to do to get rid of it?

 

[Reefing Madness]

Doesn't appear to be dinos, just a good old case of nasty algae growth, gonna need to get those phosphates down quite a bit.

 

[lakereef]

Try to figure out what kind of algae. If it's Dino's you'll see bubbles and it'll be slimy and can disappear overnight while the lights are off only to reappear. This happens less with cyno.
I would do the following.

1. Continue to feed normal or even a bit more BUT making sure you fish are eating the food and none is left over. This will raise nitrates slightly. This is good. Again read about the redfield ratio. Another way to raise nitrates is turn off the skimmer for some time. But monitor closely if you chose this route.

2. Check your source water to assure it's 0 tds and no phosphate

3. Do a waterchange

 

[chris124]

Ok I tested the po4 last night and got a reading of 2.0. I did a water change and adjusted the skimmer to skim wet and added some activated carbon. I would have posted last night but I ended up having to talk to the police until 12am after catching a man breaking into our car.