So let's try some yeast!

[Flippers4pups]

Okay so last night I was researching online, since no one in the reefing community fully understands why yeast has a effect on diatoms. I came across a web site : International Society of diatom research.

I figured if anyone would know why or if there was some credence in the claim that yeast eliminates diatoms they would know. I sent a email to the president of the society, a Dr. Mark Edlund.

He responded:

So, from what was shared from him yeast may have a limiting or may completely strip Fe from the water collum in our systems. Out competing the Diatoms for the Fe they need, causing a reduction or completely eliminating them.

In cases of people having negative results using yeast, there can be many reasons why:

One: what they are battling isn't diatoms. Possibly Dino's, cyanobacteria.....etc.

Two: their systems have elevated levels of Fe and dosing amounts and duration wasn't enough.

I haven't tested my water for Fe, so I don't know how much I have or if it's elevated or not.

So, there is some scientific back ground about yeast and it's effects on diatoms. Who knew, right?

Time will tell on how it effects my diatoms. I report how it's going here.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Bump. What do you guys think?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It might be correct, or some other trace element. I have hypothesized that trace element competition is why higher nutrients in a reef tank deter dinos.

But for this to be a good method (assuming it works at all) would require that diatoms are among the least able species in our tanks to get iron from the water. What about all the other organisms that use iron, such as corals. Are we risking them?

In any case, competition for something is certainly a fine hypothesis if it works.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Update: second dose going in tonight. As of yesterday evening all corals we're doing good. Still some diatoms on the sand. Sump in the basement looks less "rust" colored on walls. Skimmer affluent has turn from dark to light colored.

 

[ajm83]

In the video at around 0:15 he says he had 'diatoms almost an inch long', this is making me think it wasn't diatoms he had...

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Interesting info! I wonder who had the thought, "hmmm... wonder what will happen if I throw some yeast in my reef..."

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

In the video at around 0:15 he says he had 'diatoms almost an inch long', this is making me think it wasn't diatoms he had...

Depends on the diatom. Dana Riddle had snotty dino looking ones.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Yep, some diatoms can form strings.

This is definitely an experiment for sure.

 

[ajm83]

Well that's news to me, I would still like to see some microscope pics though.

Numerous people told me I had diatoms until I bought a microscope and took this video:

 

[Flippers4pups]

Well that's news to me, I would still like to see some microscope pics though.

Numerous people told me I had diatoms until I bought a microscope and took this video:

Example of strand diatoms.

 

[ajm83]

Example of strand diatoms.

Well I've learned something new, thanks. And that's a cool pic, diatoms are so beautiful under a 'scope.

 

[Want2BS8ed]

Example of strand diatoms.

That is cool photo...

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Jam-reef]

Update suspense

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Example of strand diatoms.

They may be a pest, but diatoms can sure be cool looking!

 

[Flippers4pups]

Update suspense

Okay. Here it goes.....

Second dose just went in. This time the fish figured out that they like the taste of the yeast. (The yeast is in pellet form) Lol.

No worries, they only ate a small amount. They might feel a little more full after eating that and their LRS! LOL

Diatoms are still around but in smaller numbers. Can't say at this point if it's working or not. But their numbers look reduced. Water is cloudy as before. Skimmer affluent is still a very light colored. No change in the skimmer performance.

I plan on the full four doses. So with two in, two more to go. I'll report tomorrow on how it looks.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Skimmer affluent. Light brown now. Before yeast, very dark. Almost black.

@Randy Holmes-Farley, here's some proof of silicates in the system. Exploding sponges on everything in the sump. Rock, walls...... Yellow ones.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Had to pull out the old iPhone for these pictures. Sand doesn’t look as bad as the pictures look.

 

[reeferfoxx]

There is a new theory as well as to why people think copepods eat diatoms. If I wasntw stuck at work on my mobile I share the link but the suggestion is a tiny dinoflagellate not related to the toxic ones we experience feeds on the diatoms and the copepod larve feed on the tiny dino(in a nutshell). In addition or regards to yeast, it's a food source for microbials. So, I think other things are going on at a microscopic level.

 

[reeferfoxx]

This is the link. Sort of interesting.
http://www.icm.csic.es/bio/projects/gezm/microzoo/microzoo.htm

 

[Flippers4pups]

This is the link. Sort of interesting.
http://www.icm.csic.es/bio/projects/gezm/microzoo/microzoo.htm

I'll read it soon. Thanks!

Here's the white paper on the research on yeast and diatoms that was sent to me:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1529-8817.2007.00359.x

It's just the abstract though, not the whole paper.