snails are not cleaning the tank

[vetteguy53081]

Many assumptions here and photos would confirm what you have as you want to have a plan for the proper source of algae.

 

[FRANK48]

 

[BoxKing]

Dose in VIBRANT - I have a case of Dino in my tank, only 2 months old like yours, and its slowly working as described. I dosed 5ml (50g tank) on Monday. The water is crystal clear, and my rock is starting to get white patches, and my sand has basically cleared 85%.

I kept my filtration the same... skimmer running, carbon, chemi pure blue. I change my Polly Fill floss each morning over the past week to remove debris. One tip... I had an SPS coral, in there just as a tester piece, and within 1 hour it was stripping to bone white. I believe this happened do to dosing direct into my display, which blew this stuff directly onto my frag rack. If you use this method... done half into your return chamber, then the other half of the dose 20-30 minutes later.

GL

 

[Rickybobby]

Lol my hand and scraper cleans algae pretty good. Snails just get in the nooks and crannies for me

 

[FRANK48]

Dose in VIBRANT - I have a case of Dino in my tank, only 2 months old like yours, and its slowly working as described. I dosed 5ml (50g tank) on Monday. The water is crystal clear, and my rock is starting to get white patches, and my sand has basically cleared 85%.

I kept my filtration the same... skimmer running, carbon, chemi pure blue. I change my Polly Fill floss each morning over the past week to remove debris. One tip... I had an SPS coral, in there just as a tester piece, and within 1 hour it was stripping to bone white. I believe this happened do to dosing direct into my display, which blew this stuff directly onto my frag rack. If you use this method... done half into your return chamber, then the other half of the dose 20-30 minutes later.

GL

Are there any other brands that would work ?

 

[attiland]

if it is diatoms how do i get rid of it?

Diatoms will go by itself. Ghencure is to limit the silicates

 

[attiland]

Are there any other brands that would work ?

Find out what it is first

 

[FRANK48]

Find out what it is first

I’m pretty sure it’s Dino

 

[N.Sreefer]

Pic looks like diatoms you have a really new tank from the looks of that rock. Itll take up to a year to get past the uglies.

 

[FRANK48]

Pic looks like diatoms you have a really new tank from the looks of that rock. Itll take up to a year to get past the uglies.

Oh alrighty thanks. Is there anything I can do or add to make it go faster?

 

[ScottR]

Oh alrighty thanks. Is there anything I can do or add to make it go faster?

Are you using RODI. I agree that it looks like diatoms. A normal ugly stage of most tanks. They eventually go away. In a reef tank, don’t expect a pristine tank ever. Using something like phosguard helps to remove silicates which help diatoms to grow. But they do go away on their own eventually.

 

[FRANK48]

Are you using RODI. I agree that it looks like diatoms. A normal ugly stage of most tanks. They eventually go away. In a reef tank, don’t expect a pristine tank ever. Using something like phosguard helps to remove silicates which help diatoms to grow. But they do go away on their own eventually.

yes i use RODI water. does macro algae help with removing it?

 

[ScottR]

yes i use RODI water. does macro algae help with removing it?

Just give it time. I guess when new to the hobby, everyone freaks out about algae. While usually undesirable, it’s just a part of it. And there’s a saying “if you can’t grow algae, you can’t grow corals”. Many fish rely on algae as food so don’t worry too much. The ugly stage eventually goes away. Algae comes and goes.

 

[FRANK48]

Just give it time. I guess when new to the hobby, everyone freaks out about algae. While usually undesirable, it’s just a part of it. And there’s a saying “if you can’t grow algae, you can’t grow corals”. Many fish rely on algae as food so don’t worry too much. The ugly stage eventually goes away. Algae comes and goes.

Would I still be able to add corals? since I haven’t yet

 

[ScottR]

Would I still be able to add corals? since I haven’t yet

You can add easier ones as long as your parameters are stable. Typically this stage won’t kill anything unless it gets wildly out of control, which is rare. I think zoas are a good starting point. It’s a good point to make sure your salinity is stable, alk is in control and nutrients are within the acceptable range. There are many other factors of course but with research, testing and good husbandry, you’ll be on track.

 

[FRANK48]

You can add easier ones as long as your parameters are stable. Typically this stage won’t kill anything unless it gets wildly out of control, which is rare. I think zoas are a good starting point. It’s a good point to make sure your salinity is stable, alk is in control and nutrients are within the acceptable range. There are many other factors of course but with research, testing and good husbandry, you’ll be on track.

alrighty thanks. one quick question how long would it take for diatoms to dissapear

 

[ScottR]

Good luck and we’re here for you along the way. Patience is everything in this hobby. Nothing good comes fast. Happy Reefing!

 

[ScottR]

alrighty thanks. one quick question how long would it take for diatoms to dissapear

It really depends. Did you start with sand and dry rock? Both contain silicates which diatoms use to build their “shell”. Once all of them are used up, they start to die off. You may see pineapple sponges grow as well in some darker parts of your tank. They also use up silicates and are a sign that the tank is moving along. I like to use full lighting to help diatoms move along their cycle. They may start to recede after 3 months or so. But really depends on your system and how you run it.

 

[FRANK48]

It really depends. Did you start with sand and dry rock? Both contain silicates which diatoms use to build their “shell”. Once all of them are used up, they start to die off. You may see pineapple sponges grow as well in some darker parts of your tank. They also use up silicates and are a sign that the tank is moving along. I like to use full lighting to help diatoms move along their cycle. They may start to recede after 3 months or so. But really depends on your system and how you run it.

I started with dry rock and live sand and i think the diatoms are going away since there is now green algae but I'm not completely sure

 

[ScottR]

I started with dry rock and live sand and i think the diatoms are going away since there is now green algae but I'm not completely sure

I wouldn’t worry at all. Algae is part of the diet of many animals in the ocean. Snails won’t devour all of it. They eat it but they’re not going to end it. Many fish eat algae and need it. It’s part of the game. There’s good algae, nuisance algae, designer algae (really), calcifying algae, etc. The beginning part of starting a tank will see many types come and go.