New guy new tank same question HELP

[shrive81]

Hey guys

sorry I know this has been asked but I’m new and want to make sure I treat appropriately. My tank has been up and running for the last 4 weeks and am a firefighter... I can hone after being at work for 3 days and noticed I’m getting either diatoms or Dino or something but want to treat it appropriately but first I have to figure out what it is hahahaha any help would be great

tank 100 gallons total volume
Salinity: 34.9
Temp: 77.8
Ph: 8.14
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 1ppm
Nitrate: 10ppm

lights went on for the first time 4 days ago and started feeding two new clowns which is probably why I have the up tick in nitrite....

Sorry I know the pics suck

 

[Cell]

Diatoms. Can blow off rocks and vacuum sandbed next water change.

 

[shrive81]

Ok will a clean up crew be a good idea to start adding to the tank now? Will they eat that as well

 

[Quietman]

Cleanup crews are iffy at best with diatoms. I'd still add as you need them for tank balance but wouldn't expect magic with diatoms. They'll go away on the their own with tank maturation (mine lasted until just over 6 months off and on).

That's not to say you don't still do management - WC and manual clean up.

 

[BaysEndReef]

 

[shrive81]

Cleanup crews are iffy at best with diatoms. I'd still add as you need them for tank balance but wouldn't expect magic with diatoms. They'll go away on the their own with tank maturation (mine lasted until just over 6 months off and on).

That's not to say you don't still do management - WC and manual clean up.

Ya I will be doing a water change in few days and will vac the sand bed the best I can and like you said a clean up crew won’t hurt. Is there anything I should do to help avoid them or is this just a part of having a newer tank... I have thought about UV and also thought about chatteo reactor

 

[Quietman]

Ya I will be doing a water change in few days and will vac the sand bed the best I can and like you said a clean up crew won’t hurt. Is there anything I should do to help avoid them or is this just a part of having a newer tank... I have thought about UV and also thought about chatteo reactor

Diatoms will just go away at some point on their own by the 6 month point usually. Think it has something to do with bio available silicon and competing organisms. That last is just me regurgitating forum speak, but it makes sense. Doubt UV or Algae reactor impacts much.

I am a UV proponent though but not related to diatoms. Build thread has details.

 

[Oldreefer44]

Next to water quality, patience is the key to long term success. Your tank will constantly evolve as it goes through different phases during the first several months. Algae will come and go along with lots of other things. IMO, what you see is normal and shouldn't be a major concern. Did notice that you are not measuring phosphates. Suggest testing for them as they will be one of the indicators of potential for algae issues.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Diatoms
Reduce white light intensity a little and add some snails such as:
4 nassarius
3 turbo
4 astrea
3 trochus
6 blue leg hermit crabs

 

[shrive81]

Going to get a clean up crew just cause they can’t hurt and are a good addition to the tank but ideally I will add UV in the next month or so and will start cleaning g the sand as I was initially hesitant cause of cycling the tank but feel like it is probably time now that I am in the diatom stage hahaha