I need Help!!

[Rogued_Reefer]

So I’ve had my tank up and cycled for about a month or so. After introducing some CUC and couple fish and live rock I had a small rise in what I thought was diatoms so I said meh it’s fine they’ll go away. I cleaned the glass and siphoned the substrate. Everything was fine for a day or two and they (diatoms) started to creep up again.

Yesterday I noticed my wavemaker on one side of the tank was getting that brown dust like thing again so I said dang... here we go again. Today I looked at it and it was gone but I noticed the glass next to it grew the round brown dots and I noticed little hairs coming out from them and the wavemakers cable. Now I’m not sure wether it’s diatoms or something else...

I will include the two pictures I managed to get since it’s hard to focus on it.

Thanks for your help!!

 

[GoVols]

The dusty part does sound like diatoms.

As long as your using pure RO/DI water on all that you do. The diatoms will burn out of fuel.

Just keep testing your phosphates and nitrates, but do not let them bottom out to zero.

It's still a very young setup that can go thru many stages.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Welcome to the start of the ugly phase. Don’t zero out nutrients, vacuum whatever up you can, use RODI, and just give it time.

 

[Rogued_Reefer]

The dusty part does sound like diatoms.

As long as your using pure RO/DI water on all that you do. The diatoms will burn out of fuel.

Just keep testing your phosphates and nitrates, but do not let them bottom out to zero.

It's still a very young setup that can go thru many stages.

I haven’t been using RO/DI water :S my LFS is fat and going there for water every week is a pain so I been using tap water from day 1

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

I haven’t been using RO/DI water :S my LFS is fat and going there for water every week is a pain so I been using tap water from day 1

Tap water can and will feed unwanted algae, etc. I would recommend getting a RODI from BRS or Amazon. It will help keep your tank where you want it.

 

[Rogued_Reefer]

Tap water can and will feed unwanted algae, etc. I would recommend getting a RODI from BRS or Amazon. It will help keep your tank where you want it.

Any unit in particular you recommend?

 

[GoVols]

I haven’t been using RO/DI water :S my LFS is fat and going there for water every week is a pain so I been using tap water from day 1

To be successful, pure RO/DI water including top off is a must have.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

If you can’t swing a RODI system right now go up to your grocery store and get water from the water machine. I’ve used mine when my RODI was down and it averaged $1.50 for 5 gallons and around 7 TDS.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

To be successful, pure RO/DI water including top off is a must have.

What size tank do you have?

 

[GoVols]

Any unit in particular you recommend?

a four stage with an built in TDS meter.

 

[GoVols]

What size tank do you have?

(lol)
I'm not the OP.

 

[IAReefer]

That’s nothing! Should have seen my tank a few weeks back with what I think was GHA and Cyano. I started the tank in mid February. When the algae was bad I lost a montipora, a torch coral, a lawnmower blenny and a purple fire fish.

Now I’m just keeping what remains and letting the tank mature more. Remaining stock are 2 black ice clowns, 1 royal gramma, 1 blue damsel, 6 trochus snails, 1 red leg hermit crab, 2 blue leg hermit crab and 1 fighting conch.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

This is my system (7 stage) but it started out as a 4 stage and I’ve added onto it for efficiency. Just make sure to get a Dow brand membrane, my tap water is 144 TDS and is 6 TDS after the membrane before the DI resin. I also have a 150G
Tank so I make a good amount of water.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

(lol)
I'm not the OP.

Sorry

 

[GoVols]

Any unit in particular you recommend?

The 75 gallon per day, should be a good start.

4 Stage Value Plus RO/DI System

BRS 4 Stage Systems are perfect for reefers who have water treated with chlorine or relatively clean well water. Self-contained on a single bracket making them ideal for tight spaces or where a non-permanent connection may be required. Every BRS RODI system can be installed within minutes with...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Rogued_Reefer]

Alright so I have a 75 gallon tank and I had no idea RODI water was a must I thought it was an optional thing. At the beginning it was all fine but diatoms are everywhere now lol

I’m due for a water change tomorrow so I think I’ll go the supermarket water route for tomorrow and get a RODI system for the future.