Info from some R2R Pros Please

[thegeb2909]

Okay, new saltwater tank, it's cycling well. I have live rock, live sand, have used ATM's Colony for good bacteria. Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate are doing their thing, now out of no where BAM Ditom all over sand, all over pieces of dry rock, some on the live rock, and starting to coat my Green Star Polyps ( we're already on the live rock) light wise I'm running Current Orbit Marine LED is the outbreak normal, suggestions on how to get rid of it with out chemicals? Thank you everyone!

 

[melypr1985]

Hi there! Diatoms are a normal part of a new tank. Assuming you arn't using tap water in your top off or water change, then yes... it should go away on its own in time. You could add a couple hermits to help out, but it's not necessary.

 

[larangcon]

Very normal, minimize your light hours to 2 to 3 hours less for a week and these should go away.

 

[thegeb2909]

Hi there! Diatoms are a normal part of a new tank. Assuming you arn't using tap water in your top off or water change, then yes... it should go away on its own in time. You could add a couple hermits to help out, but it's not necessary.

No tap water, I've used distilled water, now should I leave light off for a few days or is the light okay to leave on? I'm afraid it's going to kill my polyps as its starting to cover the vibrant purple base.

 

[melypr1985]

You can use a turkey baster to blow the diatoms off the GSP. Leave the tank as normal. Do your water changes, top offs and run your equipment like normal. It will pass.

 

[thegeb2909]

Awesome thank you for your assistance, I was worried because I made sure I went and got best live sand, live rock, filter etc. turkey baster idea is an amazing one! I'm running out in the morning to get one

 

[melypr1985]

Awesome thank you for your assistance, I was worried because I made sure I went and got best live sand, live rock, filter etc. turkey baster idea is an amazing one! I'm running out in the morning to get one

No problem! Just so you know... it may be followed with green hair algae! It's normal too. That's a great time to start building a clean up crew.

 

[thegeb2909]

Okay I will def keep a clean up crew in mind, what are your suggestions, I saw hermit crabs, snails, and green crabs that looked cool

 

[melypr1985]

Okay I will def keep a clean up crew in mind, what are your suggestions, I saw hermit crabs, snails, and green crabs that looked cool

I like an eclectic group of cleaners. Hermits and different types of snails. Check out reefcleaners.com for packages. Of course after a year (and not adding to my CUC during that time) I'm left with just astrea snails, an urchin,an emerald crab, a serpant star and a couple hermits. I'm sure I had a better mix than that before.... I'll add more when my frag tank is up and running and I'll be able to QT them properly.

Oh and really it's best to go slow with them. You want to make sure you add critters that will be mostly useful and that will have food to eat. If you add something that eats green hair algae with none of that in your tank, it will probably starve. Just something to consider when planning your crew.