What causes diatoms?

Sdoutreefer · May 28, 2013

Just curious, but what is the main cause of diatoms? My tank has been running since november 2012, and I have had diatoms on my sand bed since its been running. Everything else is fine oter than the ugle sand.

mike007 · May 28, 2013

Too many nutrients in water. Need to test water for nitrates and phosphates. Overfeeding is usally main cause.

Mr tap water · May 28, 2013

It could be low-flow areas Too many fish Bad feeding habits Lights on too long Sun on tank Hi nitrates hi phosphates but I personally would start with the waterflow Good luck

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NanaReefer · May 28, 2013

Good read:
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/algaecontrol/a/aa091100.htm

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Bartmmackey · May 28, 2013

From my limited time on this forum, this is one of the most often asked question. You are not alone!

I sure hope this is ok, this is the best piece of info I have ever seen on Dinoflagellate. I know you asked about diatoms, but frankly I can't tell the difference even after reading the second article. I can tell you from presonal experience excess dinoflagellates will kill fish, snails, crabs. I followed the lessons learned exactly and wiped them out. Best of luck.

How I beat dinoflagellates, and the lessons I learned ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

Aquatic Science: Diatoms vs Dinoflagellates and Marine Plankton Benefits

shred5 · May 28, 2013

Silicates are the main cause of diatoms. Diatoms mainly hit a new tank or areas with high silicates in the water. I doubt you have diatoms, there are other algae that look like the same like dinoflagellates. You can get d/i cartridges that target silicates

Sdoutreefer · May 28, 2013

I dont think overfeeding is my problem, but could be a possibility. I think I may not have enough flow. My tank is a 40b with an mp10 for water flow.. Theres only a few dead spots but hear having as little as a couple of dead spots can be bad for a tank.

Sdoutreefer · May 28, 2013

Also thanks to everyone sharing knowledge on this problem. Im not sure if my photoperiod is too long. I use Radions which come on at 9am (deep blues to all blues) and ramp up to 75% (from 12pm-6pm) and then ramp down. Lights are completely off by midnight. Blues turn on around 930pm. I do run GFO. Can this have anything to do with the diatoms? The diatoms are the only nuissance algae growing or that I can see growing. I syphon my sand every week when I do my water change in hopes of cleaning it up...