Diatoms?

[skoh]

Real quick, my tank is about a month old now. Outside of the high nitrates everything seems ok, there is a lot of algea on the sides of the tank, but I think its cos I leave my lights on too long becuase im waiting for my heater to come. Have a look and if you got a second tell me what you think. Thanks.

pH 8.2
Nh3 0 ppm
n02 0 ppm
n03 20-40 ppm it seems, i hate these dam color charts.

I'm 100% sure it's from the high nitrates, someone help this noob out

 

[Len]

It's probably diatoms. You might luck out, but be prepared for it to get a lot worse before it gets better. Some people don't have a plague of diatoms after cycling. I did Mine rocks and sand was literally fully covered with diatoms. After a month, I decided to blow them off and catch what I could in newly added mechanical filtration (filter socks). Well, that took care of the diatoms for good .... but then other algae took its place. It was a 18 month uphill climb, but now I am totally nuisance algae free.

Patience and good husbandry will pay off.

 

[Anonymous]

It looks like diatoms to me also. But, think of them as really nutritious food. Now, your tank will start growing amphopods and copepods, tiny mysis shrimp and lots of worms and bugs in the substrate.

You might consider getting some snails?

 

[SnowManSnow]

diatoms

just tough it out.. make sure you have adequate circulation and keep up your water changes as you should.

In a few weeks they should start to diminish..

Likely to get a lot worse first though.. just be prepaired

B