Diatoms Everywhere Please Help

Hempknight · Mar 19, 2017

hello everyone ive been struggling for about 2 weeks now with these brown spots in my tank got some snails to help control it but don't seem to be making a dent I'm running matrix in my canister filter and still have not seen no results can someone please please please help me I'm losing my mind I'm not using a Rodi unit at this time (trying to Safe for one) Please help me out heres a link to a video of it

Hempknight · Mar 19, 2017

my tank has been up for like 1 mouth and 20 days

iOweYou · Mar 19, 2017

Its part of the cycle. It'll soon go away as it feeds off of silicates.

RMS18 · Mar 19, 2017

It's a new tank buddy this can happen. What are your po3 and po4 levels? Tds levels? That's a big clean up crew to keep alive. With 2 fish you do not need that large of a clean up crew. It better to look at why nutrients are high rather than add more live stock... more live stock needs to eat then poop adding more nutrients.

Hempknight · Mar 19, 2017

should I keep using tap until I can get a rodi unit or no I'm just having a time doing water changes and such because I don't want to add more silicates by using more tap water

RMS18 · Mar 19, 2017

Hempknight said:
should I keep using tap until I can get a rodi unit or no I'm just having a time doing water changes and such because I don't want to add more silicates by using more tap water

It's much better to buy distilled than using tap if you do not have a lfs that sells salt or fresh rodi.

Hempknight · Mar 19, 2017

ive had my water tested serval times from my fish store they told me that my nitrates were high and that I needed to add matrix to my canister filter and just let it sit but its taking over my tank I lost 1 emerald crab already and don't want to lose more

Hempknight · Mar 19, 2017

and is there anything I can use to control silicates so that don't happen in the long run

Hempknight · Mar 19, 2017

Bmwm235i said:
It's much better to buy distilled than using tap if you do not have a lfs that sells salt or fresh rodi.

should I also when doing a water change to suck up all that on the sand or just let it do what its gonna do

RMS18 · Mar 19, 2017

Look at it from a different perspective. Stop looking for "things" to add to fix a problem. Look at what your doing that is creating the problem. Keeping a reef tank is about keeping pristine water. Ditch the canister filter as they are not great for saltwater systems. Your so nuch better off with a hob fuge like the CPR systems if you do not have room for a sump. I bet you do not have any test kits... your not using rodi or even distilled at the least. And your system is new, clean up the water and give your system time to mature.

RMS18 · Mar 19, 2017

Hempknight said:
should I also when doing a water change to suck up all that on the sand or just let it do what its gonna do

I vacuum my sand helps keep nutrients lower. Don't confuse vacuuming with sucking it out of the tank. Good luck!

Hempknight · Mar 21, 2017

so when I vaccum my sand it was 1 to 2 days and its back already I don't understand whats going on

Roy 9121 · Mar 21, 2017

Hempknight said:
ive had my water tested serval times from my fish store they told me that my nitrates were high and that I needed to add matrix to my canister filter and just let it sit but its taking over my tank I lost 1 emerald crab already and don't want to lose more

You really should test your water yourself. Don't rely on your LFS for that, most will just use a test strip on it.

Lionfish Lair · Mar 21, 2017

Leave the tank alone. Don't try to get rid of them. They will go in time. You're tank is new and this is normal in a new tank.

Hempknight · Mar 21, 2017

okay I will do testing on my own but the issue I'm having here is there anything I can do to keep it under control or just let it go all crazy

Roy 9121 · Mar 21, 2017

Hempknight said:
hello everyone ive been struggling for about 2 weeks now with these brown spots in my tank got some snails to help control it but don't seem to be making a dent I'm running matrix in my canister filter and still have not seen no results can someone please please please help me I'm losing my mind I'm not using a Rodi unit at this time (trying to Safe for one) Please help me out heres a link to a video of it

How long do you run your lights? What type of lighting do you have.

Hempknight · Mar 21, 2017

http://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcos...gh-output-t5-aquarium-light-fixture-48-length that's the light I am using with stock bulbs I turn the light on at 6am and wife turns it off at 2pm everyday not sure if that's the issue or not

Lionfish Lair · Mar 21, 2017

You're trying to find solutions to something that isn't even a problem. There's honestly no need to chase this it's very VERY normal. The more you pick at it, the longer it seems to hang around.

This was the progression of one of my tanks....

My tank when it was nice and clean.

Then...

Then, as more time went on....

Ahhhhhhh..........

Roy 9121 · Mar 21, 2017

Hempknight said:
http://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcos...gh-output-t5-aquarium-light-fixture-48-length that's the light I am using with stock bulbs I turn the light on at 6am and wife turns it off at 2pm everyday not sure if that's the issue or not

Lighting seems good. I wouldn't worry too much about it right now. If it persists for a few weeks then maybe address it. How many hermit crabs do you have? Other CUC?

Hempknight · Mar 21, 2017

and if I have to wait it out it wont kill any of my fish or anything right as

Lionfish Lair said:
You're trying to find solutions to something that isn't even a problem. There's honestly no need to chase this it's very VERY normal. The more you pick at it, the longer it seems to hang around.

This was the progression of one of my tanks....

My tank when it was nice and clean.

Then...

Then, as more time went on....

Ahhhhhhh..........

thank you very much do I have to worry about it killing my fish or anything