Diatom algae

Thomashtom

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 20, 2017
Messages
1,599
Reaction score
1,358
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hi, could someone tell me how to get rid of Diatom algae without killing the live rock and sand. Would really appreciate it!!! Thanks
 

Malifry97

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 7, 2019
Messages
2,015
Reaction score
2,067
Location
Duncannon,PA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Are you using RODI water? Diatoms primarily feed on silicates that’s why I ask. Extra snails and hermits help rid diatoms. Reduce white in lighting slightly. How long has the tank been running. Most likely it is just new tank uglies and will pass if you do the above things
 

Malifry97

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 7, 2019
Messages
2,015
Reaction score
2,067
Location
Duncannon,PA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Running a UV sterilizer can help too. If you manually remove them, say with a toothbrush, you can then kill them with the UV. I’d check your water and get more CUC before I’d implement a uv though.
 
OP
OP
T

Thomashtom

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 20, 2017
Messages
1,599
Reaction score
1,358
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
No its an established tank. I am about to replace bulbs on my UV. I guess i should check my RO because it might not be doing its job!!! Thanks
 

Cwentz758

Do you even Reef bro?
View Badges
Joined
Dec 18, 2019
Messages
1,290
Reaction score
904
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
No problem! Those are great steps to take! If these don’t work, I’d be happy to help further! Keep me posted!
I’m having this problem on an established tank. My RODI is producing 0 TDS out my white light intensity is 15% on my Red seas Reefleds. I have about 10 hermits and a watchman goby and some sand snails but this crap just sits on my sand and comes back even after sucking the sand.
 

rapid

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Sep 4, 2019
Messages
683
Reaction score
714
Location
Latrobe
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I’m having this problem on an established tank. My RODI is producing 0 TDS out my white light intensity is 15% on my Red seas Reefleds. I have about 10 hermits and a watchman goby and some sand snails but this crap just sits on my sand and comes back even after sucking the sand.
Get a diamond goby
 

Malifry97

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 7, 2019
Messages
2,015
Reaction score
2,067
Location
Duncannon,PA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I’m having this problem on an established tank. My RODI is producing 0 TDS out my white light intensity is 15% on my Red seas Reefleds. I have about 10 hermits and a watchman goby and some sand snails but this crap just sits on my sand and comes back even after sucking the sand.
Hmmm...is it stringy it’s is it 100% diatoms? Maybe your rock is leaching silicates. What rock? Maybe increased water changes. And I know turbo snails devour diatoms
 

Cwentz758

Do you even Reef bro?
View Badges
Joined
Dec 18, 2019
Messages
1,290
Reaction score
904
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hmmm...is it stringy it’s is it 100% diatoms? Maybe your rock is leaching silicates. What rock? Maybe increased water changes. And I know turbo snails devour diatoms
Nope not stringy just like a dusting but there’s a lot of it. I do about 10g water changes weekly but I’ll change it then it’s back on the sand writhing an hour. My rock was dry rock originally but it’s all about 4-5 years old now. This tank has been moved a few times over the years. Been with me about 3 months but I used the same water and stuff when we moved it.
 

Cwentz758

Do you even Reef bro?
View Badges
Joined
Dec 18, 2019
Messages
1,290
Reaction score
904
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Not sure if it’s a flow issue, if I don’t have enough flow low enough? Both my power heads are about 1/3 front the rope facing the opposite side.
 

Jason mack

Monti madness
View Badges
Joined
Dec 3, 2016
Messages
5,480
Reaction score
15,586
Location
Holland
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Nope not stringy just like a dusting but there’s a lot of it. I do about 10g water changes weekly but I’ll change it then it’s back on the sand writhing an hour. My rock was dry rock originally but it’s all about 4-5 years old now. This tank has been moved a few times over the years. Been with me about 3 months but I used the same water and stuff when we moved it.
I would get a sample under microscope it could be dinoflagellates...silicate is taken up in a tank fast which is why diatom blooms dont last long ....in fact I dosed liquid silicate too induce a diatom bloom to out compete my dinos ....which was not stringy but rather a dusting ...a positive ID is a must ...
Hows your no3 and po4 ...has if bottomed out at all ...have you added anything new recently that could have come from a tank that has or had dinos . ?
 
Last edited:

Cwentz758

Do you even Reef bro?
View Badges
Joined
Dec 18, 2019
Messages
1,290
Reaction score
904
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I’ve added a hammer coral, some pulsing Xenia, and a acro stick. I’ll have to check the Nitrates they were around 10ppm last I checked and I’m waiting on some Hanna mix to check the phosphates
 

Cwentz758

Do you even Reef bro?
View Badges
Joined
Dec 18, 2019
Messages
1,290
Reaction score
904
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
9A0D66E7-1EAA-45D8-A939-1EE38FB964AE.jpeg

Here’s a pic before the lights today. Gonna change the water again
 

Malifry97

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 7, 2019
Messages
2,015
Reaction score
2,067
Location
Duncannon,PA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
What would I be looking for? The rocks have been in the tank for a few years. My water storage is a Non brute trash can.
Id get a silicate test kit and test your water storage. In an established tank, I can't see it being anything other than plastic leaching silicates from a storage container.
 

A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

  • I currently have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 75 37.7%
  • Not currently, but I have had feather dusters in my tank in the past.

    Votes: 68 34.2%
  • I have not had feather dusters, but I hope to in the future.

    Votes: 25 12.6%
  • I have no plans to have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 29 14.6%
  • Other.

    Votes: 2 1.0%
Back
Top