Diatom outbreak on new setup . . .

[jcm1229]

Well as the tank progresses, we now have the Diatom outbreak. What should I do - if anything. I have cut back my PC light to a NO for now. I have 3 astrea snails in there (37 gallon) - should I add any more right now??

Other comments??

 

[danmhippo]

Your tank has been setup since the beginning of this month, and in your previous post, you mentioned you have not detected any ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate? That's odd, indeed, especially you mentioned you used turkey baster to blow off some smelly black dead stuff. I reckon your test kits are not doing its job right.

What is the brand name of the kits you are using? Is there a date printed on the box?

There are nutrient in the tank. Mostly coming from die-offs in the LR. Cutting down on the light will help, but once you turn on the light in the future, diatom will sure follow. How bad is the diatom coverage? The ones on the glass, go ahead and scrape them off with razor blade (becareful if you are using acrylic tanks). Since this is the 3rd week into the cycle, why don't you do a 25% water change as well right after the scraping. And while you are doing it, take the LR out and blast them with a powerhead to remove any dead matters and put them back in afterwards. Discard the rinse water.

Which skimmer did you end up getting? Is it picking up the skimmates?

 

[jcm1229]

My tank has been up for about 4 weeks. 3 weeks w/30 lbs of live rock. 20 of 50 lbs of sand was bioactiv (packaged) sand and an additional 3 lbs of LS from the LFS. I have salifert test kits, but 2 days after the incident w the black (deaad sponge etc ...) I had my LFS test my water and had 0 ammonia, 0 Nitrites an ,10 nitrates.

I have a bakpak skimmer, still learning the adjustments. Pulled a bunch out the first day, but little since. I've been addign calcium daily and have been using spectra-vital to feed my LR. The LFS said they have seen good things with it and so far I think it has helped.

I have 3 astrea snails (a freebie from the LFS).

The diatoms are covering the glass (mostly front glass) and the rock and sand with a light covering. I also noticed the past few days a lot of whits stringy organisms on the glass (maybe small mysis shrimp??)

Just wanted to know where to go from here. MY LFS has a special going now - will probably add a pair of Tank raised PERC clowns - just wanted to know what else to add / expect.

Thansk!

 

[Anonymous]

I'd wait on adding anything else.
Get the nutrients under control and that'll take care of those diatoms.
Are you using RO or RO/DI water in your tank? You should. Tap water is often a big source of phosphates, nitrates, and silicates.
Do you have phosphate and/or nitrate test kits? How are those levels?

 

[Michelle50]

Our outbreak left after we stopped using tap water completly, even for all topoffs. We were registering Nitrates and Nitrites, now they have gone. We also were told to get waterflow down low on the stuff and this seemed to help. Our outbreak was gone after about a month.

Good Luck,
Michelle

 

[jcm1229]

I've been using strictly RO water from the beginning.

 

[Anonymous]

Then I wouldn't worry too much about the diatoms. They're normal in a newish tank. They make a light coating but they last 1-3 weeks, then are gone.
Wait a week or two, confirm the diatoms go, and then add your fish.
Good luck.

 

[pez]

jcm,

I would seriously recommend you get some test kits of your own. You are dosing calcium every day, but are you also testing your pH, alkalinity, and calcium everyday (at least initially)? Also, I have no idea what specta-vital is, but is sounds like a marc weiss product? In any case, I highly doubt you *need* it.

-T