No diatoms

[PSLReefer]

So on Thursday it will be 3 weeks that my tank has been cycling. I used all bleached rock and "dead" sand. A shrimp and small piece of conch to cycle, there is still a bit of shrimp left.

Lights and skimmer have been running for 3 days on their regular schedule.

My ammonia is at zero and has been for 2 days now, nitrites have taken over, yet I have no diatoms at all which to me is weird. I've always had diatoms in every tank cycle.

Would the absence of diatoms be from using old sand that has no silicates in it?

 

[tsav87]

Nope. Give it a few more days. Lol

 

[MasterAlgaeGrower]

I just setup my tank 2 months ago with bleached rock. After 4 weeks my cycle completed and I turned the lights on. It took another two weeks with lights on before diatoms kicked in.

 

[PSLReefer]

Thx. I'll keep waiting then lol

 

[PSLReefer]

Nope. Give it a few more days. Lol

Right on the money! They showed up this morning. Even have a lil sponge forming

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Diatoms usually start to come weeks after the cycle is complete.

 

[PSLReefer]

Diatoms usually start to come weeks after the cycle is complete.

No they happen during usually or right at the end. At least in my last 10 tanks but it can vary depending how/ what was used to cycle and live rock/ live sand, etc.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

No they happen during usually or right at the end. At least in my last 10 tanks but it can vary depending how/ what was used to cycle and live rock/ live sand, etc.

I've never happen during, maybe at the tail end when everything is leveled off.

 

[Ferrell]

I just setup my tank 2 months ago with bleached rock. After 4 weeks my cycle completed and I turned the lights on. It took another two weeks with lights on before diatoms kicked in.

I'm in the same boat, dead Fiji sand reef saver rock and Dr Tim's one and only. Cycled good no lights, upped the lighting a bit and bam. Looking for a small CUC tomorrow to help in the battle. Good luck.

 

[Ferrell]

Update: got the small CUC and they made quick work of the diatoms and snails staying fed with the algae on the back and side glass. Hermits are an interesting bunch as well. Snails... meh. Good cleaners but ...