removing diatoms . . .

[tastingSalty]

My tank just finished cycling and i've got diatoms. I know it's a common thing for new tanks, but what's the best way to get rid of it? I was thinking of getting a few little critters like some nessarius snails to eat up the stuff. Is this the best method of removing the diatoms from my tank? Thanks for the help.

[Sk8r]

cerith snails will clean it up, too, if it's not too large an infestation.

[jbc123]

Cerith snails are great little cleaners. Slow, and can sometimes take a day or 2 to wake up and accept their new home but once they get started there is no stopping them.

They also tend to bury in the sand at night which also helps sift the surface of the substrate and removing more diatoms.

It's cool to watch them on the glass too. They crawl over to hair algae strand and suck them up whole. makes that buck a piece feel worth it! :p

[tastingSalty]

Thanks guys. I think I might go with the cerith snails.

[jbc123]

You'll want them anyway. Low maintenance and constant cleaners. The eat diatoms and algae and other junk. Plus if you have hermit crabs they'll want some shells.

[tastingSalty]

how many do you guys recommend for a 12g tank?

[crvz]

5? I've got a number of them in my 150, and I like them. The diatoms will go away as long as they use up their silica source and you don't add any more to the setup, but if you'd like the ceriths they're a decent choice for the tank.

[J.russell]

Glad I found this thread. I came home today only to find more diatoms in the sand and now on the side of my tank too :( Its so ugly...haha

[jbc123]

Nasarrius snails are awesome too. I think I'm going to go pick up a dozen for my 24g.

I've got one and he's cute. He's got a taste for hair algae now too, plus diatoms and the great sand sifting he does.