I keep getting diatoms

Breakthecycle2 · Apr 10, 2014

This is really frustrating me at this point. The tank has been up since October 1. I was buyingRO/Di water for top off and noticed diatoms within a day for a few months. I realized what t probably was (the stores water), so last week I purchased an RO/DI unit. I made about 4 gallons of "test" water and threw it out before making water I would use. The TDS meter indicates 0 coming on and 2xx coming in. Over the last few days, the diatoms have been crazy again. I have no idea what Im doing wrong or whats causing it. Over the last two weeks, I have added a new skimmer and two units of chemipure elite.

wuuzzzuuppp · Apr 10, 2014

You rock or sand could be leaching silica which fuels diatoms. It's common in new tanks. Eventually they will get used up.

Breakthecycle2 · Apr 10, 2014

Its been 6 months and the live rock used was all cured and from my two previous tanks.

NanaReefer · Apr 10, 2014

Is the skimmer in sump? Any newer plastics will leach silica. Are you sure they're Diatoms & not Dinoflagellate?

Breakthecycle2 · Apr 10, 2014

The skimmer is in sump, yes. I have no idea what the difference is, but it looks identical to when I set up all my tanks.

Reefing Madness · Apr 11, 2014

Whats your lighting situation? Whats your flow?
You sure its not a thin layer of cyano? What are the rest of your water parameters?

TriggerThis · Apr 11, 2014

I don't think they're diatoms.
I think you have dino algae.
Post a pic of it.

Breakthecycle2 · Apr 11, 2014

Reefing Madness said:
Whats your lighting situation? Whats your flow?
You sure its not a thin layer of cyano? What are the rest of your water parameters?

The tank dimensions are 48x24x19. Its an Elos System 120. The return pump is 712 GPH. I have an MP40 set at Reefcrest at 60%.
Salinty was low (1.022), it's now 1.024. No Nitrates (or very low), phosphates is .01.

Breakthecycle2 · Apr 11, 2014

Lights ramp up for an hour and 15 minutes starting at 11:30AM, full ramp by 12:45PM. Ramp down at 4:30PM - 5:30PM. Blues until 10:00PM. Moonlight (1% royal blue and red) until 2:30AM, then off. I feed once or twice a day

Breakthecycle2 · Apr 11, 2014

TriggerThis said:
I don't think they're diatoms.
I think you have dino algae.
Post a pic of it.

shred5 · Apr 11, 2014

Really hard to tell from the pic but looks more like cyano...
What color are they? Both diatoms and dinos are brown with diatoms in most cases being golden brown/darker than dinos..
Cyano is red or green in most cases.

Breakthecycle2 · Apr 11, 2014

They are golden brown and get very dark

shred5 · Apr 11, 2014

Breakthecycle2 said:
They are golden brown and get very dark

I got to admit it sounds like diatoms.. Usually they go away after a while and usually a new tank issue.. I believe GFO removes silicates, you might want to try some plus it will help with phosphates which also help fuel diatoms.

Reefing Madness · Apr 11, 2014

Dark coloration, im sticking with Cyano. System is to old for diatoms, unless hes dumping in silicates.

Breakthecycle2 · Apr 11, 2014

shred5 said:
I got to admit it sounds like diatoms.. Usually they go away after a while and usually a new tank issue.. I believe GFO removes silicates, you might want to try some plus it will help with phosphates which also help fuel diatoms.

I'm using a phosban reactor with ROWA since day 1. I do not believe phosphates have anything to do with causing diatoms.