Cottonmdalton
Active Member
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2015
- Messages
- 233
- Reaction score
- 26
It has been getting worse ever day ? Why
Why Such A Bad Brown Algae bloom?
- Thread starter Cottonmdalton
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Waters
"...in perfect isolation, here behind my wall."
I assume tank is still new......the diatoms will continue to spread until all of the silicates are used up. They will then disappear as quickly as they started 
oscarinw
Active Member
Lighting, Feeding, Rocks or Water Quality.
Lighting or Feeding. if too much or inappropriate, can contribute to a diatom bloom.
Water quality: Water going in can have nutrients. RODI should help avoid this.
Rocks: Some rocks can 'leach' nutrients, more specifically phosphates into the water.
Additionally, brown diatom blooms are a fairly common stage of new aquariums so maybe you're going through that cycle. They feed on silicates as well so typically until they remove those from the water, this might stick around.
Good luck
Lighting or Feeding. if too much or inappropriate, can contribute to a diatom bloom.
Water quality: Water going in can have nutrients. RODI should help avoid this.
Rocks: Some rocks can 'leach' nutrients, more specifically phosphates into the water.
Additionally, brown diatom blooms are a fairly common stage of new aquariums so maybe you're going through that cycle. They feed on silicates as well so typically until they remove those from the water, this might stick around.
Good luck
GatorGuys
Community Member
The diatoms feed off of Silica - which is found in most municipal water supplies. For this reason, most reefers recommend using Reverse-Osmosis, De-Ionized (RODI) water to mix your saltwater and to top off your tank.
Once all the silica is used up, the diatoms will die off.
Once all the silica is used up, the diatoms will die off.
OP
OP
Cottonmdalton
Active Member
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2015
- Messages
- 233
- Reaction score
- 26
So the silica is in the water I'm putting in my tank?
GatorGuys
Community Member
That is probably the single largest source of it - yes. There may have been small amounts in the live-rock and filter media - which may be why it is a VERY common new-tank experience.
On the positive note, it is very easy to deal with - and some even look at the experience as a good indicator! Your tank is going through cycles - which means it is maturing and gaining a variety of biological life!
Most of the time, the diatoms will go away on their own as they consume the silicate. The only reason to worry is if your tank is an older/established tank getting diatoms because it means something in the system changed - or a source of silicate was introduced.
On the positive note, it is very easy to deal with - and some even look at the experience as a good indicator! Your tank is going through cycles - which means it is maturing and gaining a variety of biological life!
Most of the time, the diatoms will go away on their own as they consume the silicate. The only reason to worry is if your tank is an older/established tank getting diatoms because it means something in the system changed - or a source of silicate was introduced.
OP
OP
Cottonmdalton
Active Member
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2015
- Messages
- 233
- Reaction score
- 26
I started my tank 11.7.15 so yeah about a month . I am just getting tired of cleaning it and I come home from work and it's the same as I left!
Yea that's a bad one. Switch water sources. rodi water may also be available at the same places you can buy dry ice propane and gasses.
ReefConcept
Community Member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2015
- Messages
- 82
- Reaction score
- 56
You're cycling so it should go away shortly. Get a CUC (cleanup crew) pack and that should help tremendously. Still will need to clean every night or morning, but it's a wonderful sign for the early stage. You could do a small water change if you get readings of nitrates existing. Pretty much everything stated above is solid information.
