Diatom Contamination

[Trust]

Hi everyone,

tldr; seems like diatoms are back in the tank after I added corals (possibly by contamination). Phosphates are a bit high, should I proceed with water changes and wait, or is there anything else I need to be concerned about? Snails?

I recently introduced a few corals into my tank. I had them in an uncycled quarantine tank (Not the best situation, but it was worth it as I was able to avoid adding some terrible nudibranchs to the tank), and after about one month in quarantine I added them to the tank. The frag rack being in the tank for so long, had a bit of orange/brown tint on it, and I rinsed it in DI water before adding it to the tank (to hold the corals for a couple days acclimation).

Seems like it wasn't clean enough, because during acclimation, I saw this color spread a bit on the frag rack while it was in there. Seeing this I went head and just placed the corals and removed it, but a few days later, I started seeing what appear to diatoms now on the substrate and on parts of the rock that were constituted of dry rock.

Something visually similar occured when I first started cycling the tank, now about 3 months ago. Similar to the microbes before, they were light-dark brownish and produced some gases in the form of tiny bubbles that I can observe from time to time. No major films so far, but I can see it accumulating on the walls of the tank as well. It's pretty early on in the onset, so I would love to know if I should immediately take action so it doesn't effect my corals, or if it will just pass eventually, and I might continue to do regular water changes to reduce phosphates.

I'd love to hear any advice or suggestions.

Thanks


Parameters:

0 ppm Ammonia
0 ppm Nitrites
~5 ppm Nitrates
0.22 ppm phosphate
8.1 dKH
1.027 sg

 

[Moe K]

This is normal and natural for reefs. Let it pass. You will get all kinds of stuff off and on through your reefing journey and its best to find out what it is first and just let it ride out. Soon you will be having to clean your glass almost daily, also normal. 90% of the times its just natural. 10% of the time it can be something a little worse that requires action. Good luck!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I don't think diatoms, I think its just normal micro algae or detritus buildup. Increase the number of snails as algae increases. I think your parameters are fine and I wouldn't do anything.

 

[Trust]

Sounds good, thanks guys

 

[Trust]

It’s really progressed significantly. Basically has taken over the entire tank.

 

[Trust]

Seems to be a mix of green algae and hair algae in there as well