Help with Diatom on Sand bed

[OneTimer]

Started about 4 weeks ago- Tested water, Parameters are great. Double checked my testing when TomToothDoc tested using his equipment.Parameters again were fine with the exception of low Alk reading 7, using Tom's test kit, Phos at 5 ppm and Nitrates below 20 ppm, everything else good.

I have performed weekly water changes and siphoned off diatom each time, leaving only about an inch of sand bed left in tank. Approximatley 30% change each time.

I switched salt to Coralife from ESV, still have diatoms.

Bought a used 6 stage RO/DI unit and replaced all filters, getting 4 on the TDS meter. This is going from 161 on my orignal RO unit to 4 on the new unit according to my TDS meter- which I have now lost.

I have to clean Algae off the tank walls everyday. I have brown areas each day on the sandbed.

What am I missing or is this just a natural cycle. By the way it is happening in both tanks and I have not introduced andy new LR or LS to the systems.Tanks are up for over 1 year.

I have changed my Chemipure in both tanks.

Enough rambling, thanks for all suggestions and Happy Thanksgiving

 

[D1J8Z]

You want your RO/DI water reading 0.00 on your TDS meter.

Phosphates are 5.00, .05 or .005 ?

Whats your Calcium ?

Hows your flow?

Are you over feeding?

 

[OneTimer]

NJ water sucks 4 is good

Phos is .05- Sorry

Cal is 480

Have an MP10 on Reef Crest and a K1 in the 34 gallon, Koralia nano in the 14 gal.

Feeding Mysis and Cyclo once a week and pellets twice a week

 

[jr973]

Hey rich I had same problem started about 4 weeks ago also I placed my mp closer to bed to get more flow onto bed but jus enough for it not to kick up sand everywhere and it helped out a lot I would say that problem is solved try that out I also had tried slimeaway worked great didn't harm my coral and cleared my sandbed in 3 days

 

[OneTimer]

Thanks I will try the slimaway- I think i will palce the mp10 on a higher setting than move it closer to the sand bed- already moved it lower once and the tank ended up barebottom in a few places -lol

 

[OneTimer]

Any other suggestion? I am ready to give up!

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

I think you piped the rodi wrong because i know people out west were they have 300ppm comning in and zero coming out. it always should read zero if you have at least a 6 stage

 

[OneTimer]

I will have to check directions on RO- I got an 11 read today in my bucket - bit I think I have some salt in the bucket form doing water changes. How should I test the RO?

Place in a glass container to obtain reading?

 

[guarda]

+1 on lower placement+higher flow. I cut down my lighting a bit as well. Helped my algae problem a lot. Good luck!

 

[THEDLO]

My water from the tap is 348ppm and zero from the RO, test from a clean cup that will be the best way to test. And how thick is the diatom layer?

 

[Tonyscoots84]

put some water in a clean cup and check it from there ... just make sure to keep up on your maintence and that your not overfeeding and your tds is 0. Do some small water changes and dont use CHEMICALS.

 

[OneTimer]

Thank you all for your help- I am going to cut back the light, check the RO unit and not use chemicals-- I will ride this out with water changes and siphoning

 

[InfernoST]

How are you checking the Phosphates? Hi silicates usually cause diatom blooms.

 

[jadakiss]

try special blend

 

[nanchil]

try special blend

+1


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[OneTimer]

Chedcked the RO it is working perfect - tested the water in a glass container and read 0 TDS. Reduced lighting to 5 hours per day on the LED's and MH but kept the actinic LED's on for 6 hours a day.

Is Special Blend a Food?

 

[guarda]

Special Blend

Most, if not all Petcos I've been to carry it.

Is Special Blend a Food?

 

[OneTimer]

Added a picture to see if I am missing something.

1. This is Diatom?

2. Why can't I get it to stop spreading?

RO/DI at 0
Performed 40% water change
Siphoned off Diatom form sand
Added 10 Nerite Snails
Reduced feeding
Reduced light cycle to 5 hours per day
All other water parmameters are fine

Took picture 4 hours after I stirred the sand and cleaned the mechanical filter Diatom everywhere. Check the beginning of the thread for the pic please. Do not want to treat with chemicals