Diatoms?

[Jl330]

tank has been running for 8 months. I recently increased the intensity on my lights and now I'm seeing this. I can't think of any other changes.

 

[Tahoe61]

Probably the beginnings of Cyano unless you have added some new equipment thereby introducing silicates.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Probably the beginnings of Cyano unless you have added some new equipment thereby introducing silicates.

This^. I'll add that without a microscope it's tough to say.

Are you using RO/DI water?

 

[jsker]

What type of lights, and how long are you running the whites for??

 

[Jl330]

Probably the beginnings of Cyano unless you have added some new equipment thereby introducing silicates.

Nope, I've had cyano and beat it. This is a tan color.


I use RO/DI water

Lights are Chinese black boxes turned almost all the way up. About 10 hours a day.

 

[cracker]

Ya, rusty looking?

 

[Tahoe61]

Cyano comes in other colors than red.

Try reducing your lighting period.

 

[Jl330]

Ya, rusty looking?

A little.

I brought up the lighting trying to get more color out of the corals.

 

[cracker]

The stuff I have looks like rust. My T5 bulbs are a year old & wondering if this could cause this.
Thanks for this thread &letting me ask a question also .

 

[Fishmantim]

Had tanks for years always fought diatoms and cyno set up a new tank used algae scrubber been running 10 months never had any type algae scrubber full of algae never anything in tank amazing

 

[Lninwa]

I do not use T5s but have heard that bulbs need to be replaced between 6-9 months and don’t change them all at once. I also don’t think you have cyano. I have a small rust color on my sand which I believe is diatoms. This my be a dead spot in my tank

 

[Jl330]

I do not use T5s but have heard that bulbs need to be replaced between 6-9 months and don’t change them all at once. I also don’t think you have cyano. I have a small rust color on my sand which I believe is diatoms. This my be a dead spot in my tank

This is the lowest flow area of the tank so that could be the case.

Might need to grab one more powerhead.

 

[Lninwa]

This is the lowest flow area of the tank so that could be the case.

Might need to grab one more powerhead.

I’m on the lookout for a used powerhead