Diatoms HELP!!

[Fish Styx]

They will also disappear on the sand at night and then come back once the lights are back on.

Hey there! Welcome to the community and welcome to the uglies. The diatoms will go away on their own once the excess silicates in your system have been used up. However, the quoted text above tells me that you aren't just dealing with diatoms, but as @Fish Fan suggested, dinos as-well.

So, in this case, the diatoms are your friend, because they are limiting the growth of the dinos. Do you have, or have access to a microscope? Microscopy will allow us to make a positive ID on the particular flavor, though I'm going to guess an amphidium sp. based on the above behavior.

 

[EMP21]

Definitely fine to get some corals in there now yes, but, take it slow, add 1 frag per week at most for now

Sounds good. Will do. Thank

What is the TDS reading on the water coming out of the RODI? I was reading 1-2 TDS and started seeing Diatoms. I stopped using the RO and the Diatoms slowly went away.

This probably won't be your solution as most municipal water sources have quality you may not want to put in your reef, but there's a potential it's definitely past the time to change your RO membrane and DI resins.

What is the TDS reading on the water coming out of the RODI? I was reading 1-2 TDS and started seeing Diatoms. I stopped using the RO and the Diatoms slowly went away.

This probably won't be your solution as most municipal water sources have quality you may not want to put in your reef, but there's a potential it's definitely past the time to change your RO membrane and DI resins.

the TDS is coming out at 0. That was definitely something I thought of too

 

[EMP21]

Hey there! Welcome to the community and welcome to the uglies. The diatoms will go away on their own once the excess silicates in your system have been used up. However, the quoted text above tells me that you aren't just dealing with diatoms, but as @Fish Fan suggested, dinos as-well.

So, in this case, the diatoms are your friend, because they are limiting the growth of the dinos. Do you have, or have access to a microscope? Microscopy will allow us to make a positive ID on the particular flavor, though I'm going to guess an amphidium sp. based on the above behavior.

I don’t currently have one. Will a cheap one on Amazon work?

 

[Fish Styx]

I don’t currently have one. Will a cheap one on Amazon work?

Yes, absolutely and will be a solid investment for the hobby.

 

[EMP21]

At 6 months old it's quite possible that these are not diatoms, but rather dinoflagellates or a combination of both. Dinos in particular can be more difficult to deal with than other pest algae. Here's some addition info on Dinos that may help:

Beating Dinoflagellates: A Complete Guide

I'd like to give my perspective on how I approach dinoflagellates in reef tanks. They can be challenging to treat and release a lot of toxins. I personally dealt with dinos several times in the past, so I've gained a lot of hands-on experience. I've done a lot of research on them, too. Here's...

www.reef2reef.com

#reefsquad what do you guys think?

Thank you. That was a good read. Definitely makes me wonder now if it’s more than just diatoms.

 

[EMP21]

Yes, absolutely and will be a solid investment for the hobby.

Ok great. Definitely going to buy one tonight

 

[Fish Styx]

Ok great. Definitely going to buy one tonight

You're also going to want to order BW SpongeExcel or KZ Sponge Power, because you'll be dosing silicates to feed the diatoms as part of your action plan to eliminate the dinos. Additionally, you'll need filter floss and magnetic clips to attach it to so that it floats in the water column. I recommend TLF veggie clips, as they have worked for me in the past. These will serve as "nets", if you will, to catch and remove as many as possible during the night when they leave the sandbed.

 

[Rocks reef]

I agree with @Fish Styx on the dinos.
Also, for your tank being 6 months old, it looks quite "new". Are you able to source a piece or two of actual live rock? You could get some from a friends mature reef tank. This will help out in more ways that one. By now, your rocks should not be white anymore, but more "dirty" looking if that makes sense as they get covered with various biofilms, algae, etc. In your pic, the brown on the rocks are dinos.

 

[EMP21]

You're also going to want to order BW SpongeExcel or KZ Sponge Power, because you'll be dosing silicates to feed the diatoms as part of your action plan to eliminate the dinos. Additionally, you'll need filter floss and magnetic clips to attach it to so that it floats in the water column. I recommend TLF veggie clips, as they have worked for me in the past. These will serve as "nets", if you will, to catch and remove as many as possible during the night when they leave the sandbed.

Thank you. Will definitely get pick everything up. Much appreciated.

I agree with @Fish Styx on the dinos.
Also, for your tank being 6 months old, it looks quite "new". Are you able to source a piece or two of actual live rock? You could get some from a friends mature reef tank. This will help out in more ways that one. By now, your rocks should not be white anymore, but more "dirty" looking if that makes sense as they get covered with various biofilms, algae, etc. In your pic, the brown on the rocks are dinos

I agree with @Fish Styx on the dinos.
Also, for your tank being 6 months old, it looks quite "new". Are you able to source a piece or two of actual live rock? You could get some from a friends mature reef tank. This will help out in more ways that one. By now, your rocks should not be white anymore, but more "dirty" looking if that makes sense as they get covered with various biofilms, algae, etc. In your pic, the brown on the rocks are dinos.

I didn’t use any live rock. I had bought all brand new reef rock and cycled with ammonia and also used Fritz to help kick start it. I’ll definitely have to get some live rock then. Didn’t realize it would be so beneficial.

 

[Fish Styx]

Thank you. Will definitely get pick everything up. Much appreciated.

Keep us posted, and we'll walk you through the rest once the materials arrive.

 

[EMP21]

Keep us posted, and we'll walk you through the rest once the materials arrive.

Definitely will!

 

[CHSUB]

I have no corals currently

All algae grow in aquariums when space is available, the particular species is not really important. Add coral, reduce waste, keep the aquarium clean.

Instead of a microscope buy a bunch of soft corals and join the reef aquarium hobby…

 

[Fish Styx]

All algae grow in aquariums when space is available, the particular species is not really important. Add coral, reduce waste, keep the aquarium clean.

Instead of a microscope buy a bunch of soft corals and join the reef aquarium hobby…

Except he has dinos that release polyketides that can and will kill said coral and his CuC, so this species of algae is important.

An inexpensive $40 microscope on Amazon costs considerably less than a bunch of soft corals, and will undoubtedly last longer if the OP doesn't get his dinos under control.

Yes, routine maintenance that includes nutrient export is solid advice, and should be practiced as part of good husbandry. Beyond that I disagree with your approach.

 

[CHSUB]

Except he has dinos that release polyketides that can and will kill said coral and his CuC.

Dinoflagellates are in every saltwater tank and ecosystem on earth. They are a vital part of the food chain. Their mythical status is fully overblown in the hobby.

 

[EMP21]

All algae grow in aquariums when space is available, the particular species is not really important. Add coral, reduce waste, keep the aquarium clean.

Instead of a microscope buy a bunch of soft corals and join the reef aquarium hobby…

 

[EMP21]

I’m going to. Just new to all of this. I was hoping to ride out the ugly stage and was planning on it after that, but seems I may be past that point and I was just unsure if this algae or diatom bloom would kill off any coral I put in, but I’m finding out that’s not the case. It’s been killing me not to add any so it’s refreshing to hear to go ahead and add some slowly. I know everyone says the key to salt water is patience and not rushing it and that’s the route I’ve been trying to take.

 

[Fish Styx]

Dinoflagellates are in every saltwater tank and ecosystem on earth. They are a vital part of the food chain. Their mythical status is fully overblown in the hobby.

I don't disagree with you at all, in that they are in every ecosystem on Earth. However, there is nothing mythical about what happens when they are allowed to proliferate unchecked in our closed ecosystems. Balance needs to be restored, and that first happens from the bottom up (microbiome) not the top down.

 

[Sheksare]

I had those for a months before I found out my rocks are leaching silicates. They have been comming back again and again no matter how much I vacumed them. What is the rock you used for scape? Good thing is if you watch them under microscope and they are diatoms you will not have dino problems. I have dosed so much copepods its not funny feeding them phyto etc. If you are sure they are diatoms and not any of the dinos find what is the source of silicates in your tank. Since you have Rodi make sure tds is 0 as guys told you before and those filters are doing their job as they should. But with all you said my first suspect would be rocks. If they are not Marco or any more expensive brands most likely they are the problem at least were for me. I suggest you try something like seachem phosguard, net… or any of the three you prefer they have in offer to bond silicates. With vacum and seachem they should go away if they are not dinos but as soon as you stop they will come back. Oh yeah and you dont need pro lvl microscope. You can see what are they with 150+ magnification without problem.

 

[CHSUB]

The tank has been running for 6 months

That is a decent amount of time even for a beginner.

I have a 4 stage RODI

Many beginners might miss this important piece of equipment…well done!

have scrubbed the rocks and glass right before a water change

Do this weekly forever. It is a good habit to have and will only increase your chances for success.

know everyone says the key to salt water is patience and not rushing

Imo this practice has more to do with chemistry, however yes not rushing is smart.

With that your tank looks fine, fish look healthy and imo you are ready to go…do a good cleaning and a wc. I would easily add 10 soft easy corals: Kenya tree, GSP, multiple leather types, Zoes, mushrooms, etc.

Hopefully you have a protein skimmer and if not get one, it is a beginner must!
Gl

 

[EMP21]

Hey there! Welcome to the community and welcome to the uglies. The diatoms will go away on their own once the excess silicates in your system have been used up. However, the quoted text above tells me that you aren't just dealing with diatoms, but as @Fish Fan suggested, dinos as-well.

So, in this case, the diatoms are your friend, because they are limiting the growth of the dinos. Do you have, or have access to a microscope? Microscopy will allow us to make a positive ID on the particular flavor, though I'm going to guess an amphidium sp. based on the above behavior.

Ok. Got a cheap microscope and unfortunately, I can’t take a picture of what I’m seeing. By looking up what I can find on google, it appears they are unarmed dinos. I really wish I could take a picture, but it just won’t focus or switches to a differnt lens (iPhone)