Help an idiot today! Diatoms

[TheReefDiary]

So my tank is a month old. It cycled in less than 2 weeks (fishless cycle) and has had fish in it for 2 weeks.

I'm starting to notice diatoms forming on the rock (not a ton but definitely noticeable now). Is this part of the process that I will have to go through or is it possible to avoid this?

I know it's normal for it too happen, moreso just wondering if I have to go through this step to have a properly matured tank? Who wants to look at brown spots everywhere if you don't have to.

Also, once they start forming is it time to add a small CUC? Or should I be waiting for a bloom?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mark Whitaker]

This is totally normal, don’t panic and don’t add anything crazy! Just aim for keeping it at normal parameters and enjoy the adventure. This is called the ugly stage and it will play itself out.

 

[mattgsa]

So my tank is a month old. It cycled in less than 2 weeks (fishless cycle) and has had fish in it for 2 weeks.

I'm starting to notice diatoms forming on the rock (not a ton but definitely noticeable now). Is this part of the process that I will have to go through or is it possible to avoid this?

I know it's normal for it too happen, moreso just wondering if I have to go through this step to have a properly matured tank? Who wants to look at brown spots everywhere if you don't have to.

Also, once they start forming is it time to add a small CUC? Or should I be waiting for a bloom?

Thanks in advance!

Very much part of the process. I personally would wait on the clean-up crew. BRS would suggest adding pods to the system, however, I don't know how much that would help. I would just wait, the ugly stage is starting. In my experience the more I fought it the worst it got, and created a lot of problems.

 

[TheReefDiary]

Very much part of the process. I personally would wait on the clean-up crew. BRS would suggest adding pods to the system, however, I don't know how much that would help. I would just wait, the ugly stage is starting. In my experience the more I fought it the worst it got, and created a lot of problems.

Thanks for your advice. Haven't really tried fighting it. All I'm doing currently is weekly 50% water changes. Occasionally dose some seachem pristine. That's really it. Guess I'll wait for more stuff to form before adding a small CUC.

 

[TheReefDiary]

This is totally normal, don’t panic and don’t add anything crazy! Just aim for keeping it at normal parameters and enjoy the adventure. This is called the ugly stage and it will play itself out.

Thanks!

 

[Reefer Matt]

Diatoms are usually unavoidable, imo. Patience is key. A cycled tank is not a mature, established tank.

 

[TheReefDiary]

Diatoms are usually unavoidable, imo. Patience is key. A cycled tank is not a mature, established tank.

Thanks. This is why I ask before doing anything.

 

[Mark Whitaker]

Thanks!

No problem, and your definitely not an idiot! One of the worst things you can do is start making quick and drastic changes, stability is king when in the new tank phase. If you do need to make a change, be super slow… it’s hard to wait, but your replicating a ecosystem so it takes time

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

I highly recommend watching the micro biome series from BRS on YouTube. It gives you a glimpse of what your tank will go through.

 

[TheReefDiary]

No problem, and your definitely not an idiot! One of the worst things you can do is start making quick and drastic changes, stability is king when in the new tank phase. If you do need to make a change, be super slow… it’s hard to wait, but your replicating a ecosystem so it takes time

That's why I'm waiting until at least December before adding corals. Currently have 2 fish in the system and 2 in quarantine. Plan on adding the tower 2 and getting my water parameters in check before adding corals. I really want to see where my parameters Iike to be before adding corals. That way I can add what will thrive the best.

 

[TheReefDiary]

I highly recommend watching the micro biome series from BRS on YouTube. It gives you a glimpse of what your tank will go through.

I will do that, thanks!

 

[nosduj]

Just let it run its course, my new tank is loaded with diatoms right now as well, plus is that my lanwmower blenny and leopard wrasse love eating diatoms

 

[Idech]

I like to add a bit of CUC when diatoms appear. It helps get rid of it faster.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Thanks. This is why I ask before doing anything.

It sounds like you are on your way to an awesome tank!

 

[TheReefDiary]

I like to add a bit of CUC when diatoms appear. It helps get rid of it faster.

Yeah I think I'm going to pick up a few today. Not a full CUC just a couple snails.

 

[Idech]

Yeah I think I'm going to pick up a few today. Not a full CUC just a couple snails.

The snails that eats the most diatoms in my crew is my conch snail. Those are bigger though.

 

[TheReefDiary]

The snails that eats the most diatoms in my crew is my conch snail. Those are bigger though.

Thanks. I think my lfs only has nassaruis snails, bumblebee snails, and grazing snails. They also have emerald crabs and conch.

 

[Mark Whitaker]

Also another thing to consider, silica feeds diatoms , your substrate has silica… eventually the food source will be spent, and they will slow down. (Salt mix also contains silica, but not too much). It’s actually not bad to have them around, it’s just a part of the food chain.

 

[TheReefDiary]

Also another thing to consider, silica feeds diatoms , your substrate has silica… eventually the food source will be spent, and they will slow down. (Salt mix also contains silica, but not too much). It’s actually not bad to have them around, it’s just a part of the food chain.

Yeah I think I'm going to have to embrace it at this point. It's coming on stronger and stronger each day. I cut down my lighting schedule a couple hours, but that won't do much. Just hoping the bloom isn't long. I have 2 fish in qurantine but don't want to add them to a system if it's already undergoing a micro warfare.

 

[nosduj]

Yeah I think I'm going to have to embrace it at this point. It's coming on stronger and stronger each day. I cut down my lighting schedule a couple hours, but that won't do much. Just hoping the bloom isn't long. I have 2 fish in qurantine but don't want to add them to a system if it's already undergoing a micro warfare.

generally diatoms don't affect fish, depending on what fish they are it may provide a secondary food source. Just my .02, its up to you though