Uh oh - diatom

[Len]

The only suggestion I can offer is to perform larger water changes. 10% water changes is ineffectual in nutrient dilution, and will placate hobbyist more then it will actually help their tanks. 30-50% water changes will accomplish nutrient export much more effectively.

I'd test for silicates. R/O's are terribly inefficient at removing silicates. Si is the primary contributor of diatom blooms.

 

[Buzz]

Looks like I goofed badly and rushed the move of my 3yr old 20G to a 3 week old cycling 30G that wasn't ready. I'm seeing diatoms covering 60-70% of the dsb and some LR. All shrooms, polyps and BTA are looking as fine as they were in the old 20G. I'm just worried about the diatom outbreak but can't seem to see why it's doing that.

Water levels test nil on phosphates, nitries/nitrates. Tank was filled with RO water that also tested nil on all levels and is from the same source as my top of water for the old 20G (which had no algae problems).

Stats:

30G
250W MH
CPR Bakpak II from the 20G
Temp 78F
Salinity 1.025
No mechanical filtration
Undetectable levels of nitrates nor phosphates

For right now, I'm doing a 10% change every 3 days. Skimmer is pulling out quite a bit of gunk (more than from the 20). Anything else I can do?