Is My Skimmer the Culprit?

[Hermit Up North]

I am still fighting this blasted diatom bloom. It covers the top of my sand in brown carpet like patches with long stings topped off by a bubble on top. I have been doing all the right moves to get this under control but it stays ahead of me.

My question is this:

I have a prizm hang on skimmer, which I have always been happy with and skims like crazy. But, I'm starting to think, maybe it is not as efficient as I have always thought. (This particular tank is rather young, only two years old. #30 gal, DSB, LR, LS, etc., low fish stock only a clarkii, arc eye hawk and a dottyback.)

Would you all suggest I look into a more powerful skimming unit? I have been looking at the Remora recently. Would this help?

I'm also testing the replacement RO/DI water I purchase at the local supermarket. Could be the culprit. (I do weekly 10% water changes.)

I'm at my witts end with these diatoms. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

TIA
Hermit

 

[LFS42]

I'm also testing the replacement RO/DI water I purchase at the local supermarket. Could be the culprit. (I do weekly 10% water changes.)

I would check into that first.
Around here, I've noticed that supermarkets don't chnge the membranes when needed.
After that, how big is the tank?

 

[danmhippo]

To control diatom, you will have to control silicate. Skimmer effeciency has little to do with diatom growth. The only way I can think of right now to curb excessive growth of diatom is via herbivore snails. Snails gather diatoms and output them into small fecal pellets. The tank circulation has to be good to carry these pellets of wastes out of the system.

 

[beerbaron]

(I do weekly 10% water changes.)

Try doin monthly 30% changes instead. less large changes is better than frequent small changes.
HTH
BB

 

[LFS42]

(I do weekly 10% water changes.)

Try doin monthly 30% changes instead. less large changes is better than frequent small changes.
HTH
BB

not always,
most of the time smaller waterchanges are more stable than bigger ones.
If you want to continue the 10% weekly, I would invest in your own RO unit.
Like I said, most food stores don't realize the membranes are bad.

 

[Anonymous]

Also plenty of circulation- add some powerheads to really get the water swirlin.

 

[Hermit Up North]

Hummm......

Thanks for all the replys so far, much appreciated.

I have heard/read the same conflicting views on the water change issue. More often, less often, more %, less %, and I have tried both.

It simply MUST be the water. We live in the Northwoods Boonies, and have well water. Excellent water for us, but not so for the reef. Lots of silicates. We sit atop pure sand beds. Unfortunately, we do not have the psi pressure needed to run our own RO/DI unit. I have been wondering about the Water Tap Purifier. Any good? Since I have down-sized a bit, my needs are not that great.

I wonder, would this unit work for me? In either case I must change my source of water.

TIA
Hermit
p.s.......I am doing the weekly changes so I can vac out the carpets of $#@%^*&)()!!!!!!

 

[Go Fish]

I have been wondering about the Water Tap Purifier. Any good?

We have had really good luck with ours (Tap Water Filter) Our diatom has pretty much vanished and all we did was just start doing water changes with it! Also we bought a white sleeper goby and he keeps the sand looking great!

 

[Anonymous]

I have been wondering about the Water Tap Purifier. Any good?

We have had really good luck with ours (Tap Water Filter) Our diatom has pretty much vanished and all we did was just start doing water changes with it! Also we bought a white sleeper goby and he keeps the sand looking great!

It is not your skimmer! Use Distilled water for water change and top offs,and use Phosphate Sponge.......take an Aspirin and give me a call two months from now. :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

A note about RO; I was talking to a guy from Aqua-FX (I think...) and asked him about how the RO unit works on low pressure- mine barely makes it into the operating zone. He said it works just as well at low pressures, just doesn't put out the advertised amount of RO water.

 

[beerbaron]

not always,
most of the time smaller waterchanges are more stable than bigger ones.
If you want to continue the 10% weekly, I would invest in your own RO unit.
Like I said, most food stores don't realize the membranes are bad.

smaller water changes are more stable for inhabitants. however they are not as efficient in removing waste. i would punch up the volume if i your having a problem. the rest of the above i agree with. if your adding bad water to the tank everytime you do a water change then your treading saltwater .

 

[AllenF]

My tap water filter (DI) has also put a stop to diatoms. Anything that filters out the silicates (spelling?) will help.

Having said that, there STILL must be some nasty crap in my water because every time I do a water change or a top off, my Skimmer kicks up the skimmate production into high gear for about two days.

What gives?