Live rock changes

IndianaJones555 · Apr 29, 2017

my tank has has been set up little over three week. My live rock and tank are recently going through some changes. Seems to be a diatom bloom. Is this normal will it go away? Another thing is one piece of live rock is a dark green color. Also my ammonia levels are zero, nitrate 20ppm, and nitrite is at zero. Also I have two scarlet crabs and one clown fish. Recently I have had one clown pass away unfortunately and that's still a mystery also. I haven't done any water changes. Was told by lfs to not do them while the tank is going through it's cycle. Please let me know if all the tank process is normal and the what kind advice you can give me please.

Shelbytwp123 · Apr 29, 2017

All normal .. increased flow makes diatom disappear faster as well is what I found out ... harmless just another step in the process

Shelbytwp123 · Apr 29, 2017

Me is three months old and my 30 man COC just catching up on cleaning that diatom from the sand bed other than that all the #s at 0 steady week after week

wkscott · Apr 29, 2017

Diatoms are normal in new tanks. They are fueled by silicates that are most likely being released by your live rock and sand. Once the silicates are used up, the diatoms will die out. If you are using filter socks or other forms of mechanical filter media, make sure to clean these often so that the silicate is not rereleased into your tank. If you are using GFO, it will also remove some of the silicates.
Are you using RO/DI water? Tap water is usually loaded with silicates and the diatoms will never go away as long as silicates are being added.

IndianaJones555 · Apr 29, 2017

Do you have snails or hermit crabs in there?

IndianaJones555 · Apr 29, 2017

wkscott said:
Diatoms are normal in new tanks. They are fueled by silicates that are most likely being released by your live rock and sand. Once the silicates are used up, the diatoms will die out. If you are using filter socks or other forms of mechanical filter media, make sure to clean these often so that the silicate is not rereleased into your tank. If you are using GFO, it will also remove some of the silicates.
Are you using RO/DI water? Tap water is usually loaded with silicates and the diatoms will never go away as long as silicates are being added.

I'm using rodi water from the local grocery store

GoVols · Apr 29, 2017

If it is pure RO/DI then it will burn off over time as stated above.

I'd suggest that you buy your own unit from somebody like BRS with a built in TDS meter so you truly know that your RO/DI is pure with no goodies in it.