Diatoms (new tank cycle)

[anthonygf]

If you still want a silicate test kit, I just got mine a few days ago from Hanna and I love it.

 

[himynameis]

If you still want a silicate test kit, I just got mine a few days ago from Hanna and I love it.

I bought a salifert that just came in. Will be checking the source water today.

 

[Lavey29]

Update after a few days of introducing live rock: water clarity is the best I’ve had since starting my cycle! Diatoms seem to be dialed back a bit, still visible but at the peak of the light cycle it’s not even close to what it was before. My skimmer doesn’t need to be dumped so often, and my filter socks dont need to be replaced daily. I’m amazed at how quickly it’s helping. Looking forward to seeing the next few months of (hopefully) progress toward a more mature tank. Thanks all for the advice.

You will still experience ugly phases the first year but they will be much more manageable with the live rock addition.

 

[himynameis]

Update: measuring zero silicates with the salifert test kit

 

[himynameis]

One year later…

I got through diatoms, ugly phase wasn’t so bad, though I’m still in it. Going good for a bit but then had a bout of cyano. It has been receding over the last few months but still present in the lower flow areas. I held off on doing the chemi clean treatment so far, just doing coral snow and keeping up with maintenance. The live rock addition helped a lot, and I also got some good aged rubble for the sump from a local reefer.

Recently lost a few coral due to a (my fault) spike in dkh. Dosed too much at one time because I panicked. Nothing happens quick, I should know that.

Have since set up dosing pumps to manage alk/ca/mag at reasonable rates.

 

[himynameis]

Attached some photos for reference, definitely a lot of lessons learned and progress made! It’s not over, but I feel better about where it’s at.