Diatom explosion how long!!!!!!

[jumpincactus]

I am happy to report that all is going as planned with a relatively new tank. Rock has been cycled for a month now and it was coloring up real nice. Then overnight almost here came the rust colored diatoms. They are covering everything. looks really crappy I might add.

If I remember correctly this is a normal occurance with a new tank correct? And then as magically as it appeared it will also go away??? I am using carbon and Rowaphos and RO water. So where is the silica that is feeding the diatoms coming from. My water parameters are near perfect in all areas.

Again will this diatom explosion go away and how long does it generally take.

 

[Anonymous]

It'll run its course JC, wish I could say "7 days" or otherwise give you a timeline. Silica isn't the only nutrient that fuels those explosions in new tank setups. Increase flow and skimming, if you can, and be sure you aren't adding any excess fuel (like frozen food juice or overfeeding).

 

[trido]

They will last right up until I move to Lynnwood and you come over to get a colony of yellow polyps.... They are multiplying out of control. BTW.... thats the 30th of this month 8)

 

[jumpincactus]

Duane you are right on brother. I will most happily take a few yellows off your hands. The flow Lawdawg speaks of makes perfect sense. I have been struggling with pump issues from day one with this tank. I had an Ampmaster 3000 powering my closed loop and a 2100 pushing the sump return.

Well the 3000 sprung a leak the 2nd week I had it. So I was 10 days waiting for my LFS to make good on the warranty. Took actually 14 days and got it home and lo and behold the 2nd 3000 sprung a leak as soon as I opened the gate valve. This was even b4 I turned on the pump. Boy was I ******. So again I had to call the LFS. At this time I told them no more Dolphins. I had them order a Sequence Dart rated for 3600 gph. So know I got killer flo again .

What I am thinking is with the inadequite flow in my tank it assited the diatoms to bloom. ?Cause before that my rock was pristine the bloom occured in the first week without my closed loop running.