Diatom problem

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Panathas

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Hi All,

I have been running my new tank since January 2017 and noticed there is a lot of diatome. Is this normal and how do i get rid of it?
 
Are you sure it’s diatoms, and not dinoflagellates??.. I would take a little sample to you lFS if they have a microscope and make sure you know what it is for sure th n treat accordingly!
 
Determine that is is in fact diatoms first.

Then look for the source of the silicates in the water. Rodi?

Diatoms should feel dusty and have a slight texture in your fingers. Like a super fine sand paper. Cyano and Dino's will just be slime.

Fwiw, gfo or similar binder can be used to remove exess silicate.
 
No its diatome. Brown like hair.. i have the lighta on for 8 hour a day
 
Can you post a few pics? Brown like hair doesn't sound like diatoms to me.
 
Diatoms are more often encrusting, not stringy.

The important reason for asking to be sure is that, among all of the pests we have, diatoms are the only one that have a requirement for silicate, and cutting off silicate additions (as from tap water, but it can come from elsewhere) usually stops them. It will have no effect on any other type of pest "algae".
 

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