NEED help getting rid of this.

[Ryan Rioux]

Tanks been up and running for 3 months roughly . But I cannot seem to rid the tank of this diatom or brown algea ! I've lightened feedings , reduced light intensity. Did a 3 day blackout! But have no idea why my sand And GLASS continues to get dirty. Is this part of the uglies?

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Part of the ugly cycle of a new tank.

Add a clean up crew, look at the information in the recent thread about H2O2, or add an algae filter.

Right now there is more food than consumers in your tank giving advantage to the lower lifeforms that consume the excess. Most likely diatoms or cyano bacteria. If you do not use a RODI unit you should consider one. Some people swear by U.V. sterilization as a possible reduction to the single celled lifeforms in the tank. You can also remove the mats by siphon and watch your nutrient content in the tank.

No real magic bullet in a new tank start... just mentioning some things people try.

 

[Tateopotatoe]

In my tank (10 gal nano) I added two scarlet hermit crabs and in 24 hours basically all of the algae (or other stuff) was gone! Highly recommend them!

 

[Ryan Rioux]

Part of the ugly cycle of a new tank.

Add a clean up crew, look at the information in the recent thread about H2O2, or add an algae filter.

Right now there is more food than consumers in your tank giving advantage to the lower lifeforms that consume the excess. Most likely diatoms or cyano bacteria. If you do not use a RODI unit you should consider one. Some people swear by U.V. sterilization as a possible reduction to the single celled lifeforms in the tank. You can also remove the mats by siphon and watch your nutrient content in the tank.

No real magic bullet in a new tank start... just mentioning some things people try.

Thank you

 

[Ryan Rioux]

In my tank (10 gal nano) I added two scarlet hermit crabs and in 24 hours basically all of the algae (or other stuff) was gone! Highly recommend them!

I have a bunch of hermits and a large blue legged . Probably look into those too.

 

[Tahoe61]

Appears to be Cyanobacteria, with probably some Diatoms.

Always check nitrates and phosphates if the the issue become chronic. Always use RODI water as replacement.

Improving flow and increasing surfacing agitation can be of assist. If the issue does not resolve in the coming month look to water chemistry and adding additional power heads and or change the directional flow.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Dont be afraid of a sand vacuum. Unless you used a super fine sand. Use it a WC time.

adding additional power heads and or change the directional flow.

this keeps the food/poo in suspension longer so it makes its way to the skimmer n filters.

 

[Ryan Rioux]

Appears to be Cyanobacteria, with probably some Diatoms.

Always check nitrates and phosphates if the the issue become chronic. Always use RODI water as replacement.

Improving flow and increasing surfacing agitation can be of assist. If the issue does not resolve in the coming month look to water chemistry and adding additional power heads and or change the directional flow.

Should my powerheads be aimed at water surface of deeper into the water . I have to get a more accurate phosphates test. I have an API one and hear they're inaccurate .

 

[Ryan Rioux]

Appears to be Cyanobacteria, with probably some Diatoms.

Always check nitrates and phosphates if the the issue become chronic. Always use RODI water as replacement.

Improving flow and increasing surfacing agitation can be of assist. If the issue does not resolve in the coming month look to water chemistry and adding additional power heads and or change the directional flow.

Do u have a recommendation on another powerhead? I have 2 cheaper hydor 850 gph. Both faced at top of water, andddd I get my RODI from LFS.

 

[Ryan Rioux]

Dont be afraid of a sand vacuum. Unless you used a super fine sand. Use it a WC time.


this keeps the food/poo in suspension longer so it makes its way to the skimmer n filters.

Sand vacuum? Or gravel vac ?

 

[Tahoe61]

I am sorry I may have missed how large the tank is?

Myself I try to make sure at least one source of flow is directed towards the sand bed to provide a circular flow to the lower part of that tank.

Cyanobacteria and Diatoms as you already know are a common occurrence in newer systems.

 

[Salty1962]

Appears to be Cyanobacteria, with probably some Diatoms.

Always check nitrates and phosphates if the the issue become chronic. Always use RODI water as replacement.

Improving flow and increasing surfacing agitation can be of assist. If the issue does not resolve in the coming month look to water chemistry and adding additional power heads and or change the directional flow.

+1 on cyano. Placing more flow over sand bed helps a lot. You could use some Chemi Clean 48 hrs before your next wc and it will help get under control but you need to change the mentioned items to keep it away.

 

[Ryan Rioux]

+1 on cyano. Placing more flow over sand bed helps a lot. You could use some Chemi Clean 48 hrs before your next wc and it will help get under control but you need to change the mentioned items to keep it away.

I will try aiming a powerhead more down , I feel it may kick up too much sand , but if so I will get a weaker powerhead and place it in center of tank. Mp10? But mp10 says it won't work with thickness of my glass . I just want white sand

 

[Ryan Rioux]

I am sorry I may have missed how large the tank is?

Myself I try to make sure at least one source of flow is directed towards the sand bed to provide a circular flow to the lower part of that tank.

Cyanobacteria and Diatoms as you already know are a common occurrence in newer systems.

Tank is 57 gallons. Nothing crazy. Eventually I'll be through these parts of this hobby I'm sure . I have some coralline growing which is a positive

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Current alone will not remove the cyano bacteria or diatoms. You have to manage the nutrients or kill the organism. Look at the thread on H202 on this site for other suggestions.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Its just the uglies. itll pass. All great advice here. I personally woulnt dose or chem.
Its just the uglies.
Imo manual removal and wc. And a refugium, but that just me.

 

[Ryan Rioux]

Its just the uglies. itll pass. All great advice here. I personally woulnt dose or chem.
Its just the uglies.
Imo manual removal and wc. And a refugium, but that just me.

To be honest , I wanted to do a refugium in sump but I have no idea how. MY SUMP is just sump return pump ,skimmer and sock in seperate compartment and I have 2 heaters in there, and also some media in case of qt tank. I see people.with sand , live rock , macro algea , makes me want to do it but I have no idea how. I just tested phosphates and read 0. Again . I need better test then api

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Toss some Chato in. It'll be fine.

Again. Just the uglies.

 

[reef_junkie]

Normal part of cycling. You can stir the sand until it stops coming back but until all silica has been consumed by the diatoms you have to deal with seeing it or stirring it up. Diatoms are micro organism that only eat silica. They are very good at eating themselves out of house and home.

 

[ChytownPrincess]

I just went through the same thing. I treated with chemi clean 3 times back to back with a 20% water change before each new dose. I am treating with Microbacter 7 and have put purigen and chemi pure blue..I kicked it's ugly but right out of my tank