Diatoms or dinos

[Harris4g63]

I'm trying to figure out what this stuff is it's growing on the rocks sand and glass driving me crazy. I just cleaned up the tank 3 days ago. Should I take out the rock and scrub it all off? Tank is 3 months old using brs Rodi water and red sea coral pro salt
Ca 415
Mg 1290
Alk 7.84
Salinity 1.025
PH 8.2
Temp 78

 

[reeferfoxx]

Diatoms/chrysophytes/golden algae.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/chrysophytes-help-me-cure-it.263759/

 

[Harris4g63]

So was the solution covering the tank with black plastic for 3 days and will the coral and fish be ok that long in the dark

 

[reeferfoxx]

Need to get a Phosphate test kit. Just to make sure. Usually you get the golden mulm from calothrix. It's more stringy when po4 has been removed.

If po4 is normal to low, run a bag of GFO for about 48 hours. That should be enough to remove excess silicates. By that time the growth will change. Just take a toothbrush and clean off manually while filtering the slimy stuff with filter floss or canister filter.

Other than that, make sure your clean up crew is sufficient. Should have 1 snail per 2-3 gallons of water. The issue at hand is from insufficient clean up crew to remove all the diatoms.

 

[Harris4g63]

Wow thanks soo much I'm going to do that first thing tomorrow I'll keep you updated

 

[Hans-Werner]

Hi,
A microscope would be helpful to clarify this question. I think it is the cyanobacterium Schizothrix. It grows to balls that look and touch like cotton balls. Then it can be removed with a hose during water changes.

 

[Harris4g63]

Still fighting diatoms and losing. Not sure what to do I'm currently running phosguard and bio pellets . I'm wondering if I get a gfo reactor will that solve the problem.When I clean the rocks with a toothbrush the diatoms come right back after about a week then get long and stringy. The tank is about 5 months old now here's the number as of this morning according to api saltwater master kit, Hanna alkalinity checker, and salifert Mg and Ca test.

Ammonia =0 phosphate =0
Nitrite =0 Nitrate =0
Alk =185ppm/10.36 Dkh
Mg=1260 Ca=410
Temp 78.2 Ph=8.23
Salinity 1.026

 

[reeferfoxx]

Still fighting diatoms and losing. Not sure what to do I'm currently running phosguard and bio pellets . I'm wondering if I get a gfo reactor will that solve the problem.When I clean the rocks with a toothbrush the diatoms come right back after about a week then get long and stringy. The tank is about 5 months old now here's the number as of this morning according to api saltwater master kit, Hanna alkalinity checker, and salifert Mg and Ca test.

Ammonia =0 phosphate =0
Nitrite =0 Nitrate =0
Alk =185ppm/10.36 Dkh
Mg=1260 Ca=410
Temp 78.2 Ph=8.23
Salinity 1.026

What do you have for clean up crew?

 

[lthary]

Maybe you can try this https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/vibrant-liquid-aquarium-cleaner-discussion-thread.271428/

 

[Harris4g63]

I have 10 cerith snails that spend most of the time under the sand, queen fighting conch, 2 astrea snails and 2 trochus snails not sure if the lawnmower blenny is considered cleaning crew but I have him to

 

[reeferfoxx]

Maybe you can try this https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/vibrant-liquid-aquarium-cleaner-discussion-thread.271428/

Did this work for you?

 

[reeferfoxx]

I have 10 cerith snails that spend most of the time under the sand, queen fighting conch, 2 astrea snails and 2 trochus snails not sure if the lawnmower blenny is considered cleaning crew but I have him to

Your CUC is inadequate. You only have 4 snails that eat diatoms.

 

[Harris4g63]

OK what snails do you think I should get more of and how many my tank is 55 gallons?I live 2 blocks from the lfs

 

[Harris4g63]

Did this work for you?

Yea that seems like a good idea to try

 

[reeferfoxx]

Yea that seems like a good idea to try

I'm not a fan of dumping things into my tank. But if it sounds good to you, worth the try?

OK what snails do you think I should get more of and how many my tank is 55 gallons?I live 2 blocks from the lfs

Need 1 astrea/trochus per 2 or 3 gallons of water volume.

 

[reeferfoxx]

And as a side note. If you don't ever have an adequate clean up crew, you might have more issues down the road.

 

[Harris4g63]

OK sounds good I'll grab about 15 atrea/trochus snails today and see if that will help

 

[reeferfoxx]

OK sounds good I'll grab about 15 atrea/trochus snails today and see if that will help

Be sure to take a tooth brush to the rocks and filter it out. Otherwise your snails might not touch it.

 

[Harris4g63]

Definitely thanks for the advice