Diatoms?

Jason9488 · 11/19/2018, 04:08 PM

What is the best was to resolve this issue?

mcgyvr · 11/19/2018, 04:46 PM

Patience

neilp2006 · 11/19/2018, 05:53 PM

It is a normal part of the early life of a reef tank.

It is thought that silicates in the sand and rock leaches out, essentially feeding the diatoms. They are a unicellular life form that has a hard ‘shell’ made of silica.

Once the population booms, and consumes all of the silicates, they will die off.

So, as stated above, patience. If they bother you, you can siphon them out, but they’ll return until all of the silicates are consumed.

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Jason9488 · 11/19/2018, 06:58 PM

Thanks. Tank has been up for 8 months.

neilp2006 · 11/19/2018, 06:59 PM

Silicates can also come from tap water... maybe your DI needs changed?

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Jason9488 · 11/19/2018, 07:00 PM

All of my water comes from my local fish store. I will talk to the owner and see if he needs to change filters out

jlmawp · 11/21/2018, 12:13 PM

It would be a good idea to run tests on the water next time you get a batch. You cant be too careful with LFSs sometimes.

ABzReef · 11/22/2018, 03:20 AM

I am the same issue

Tanks been up for 9 month, and it looks soooo bad

peekay · 12/06/2018, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABzReef

I am the same issue

Tanks been up for 9 month, and it looks soooo bad

My tank's been up for about 2 weeks and my diatom initiation has just begun. Have a CUC from reefcleaners on the way! Agreed, diatoms are very unsightly.

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neilp2006 · 12/06/2018, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peekay

My tank's been up for about 2 weeks and my diatom initiation has just begun. Have a CUC from reefcleaners on the way! Agreed, diatoms are very unsightly.

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Not QT’ing your CUC?

I have a huge batch from RC that complete 76 day QT in 9 days. My diatom bloom lasted 3 weeks and will probably be done by the time CUC is ready. It’s at that gross stringy dying off stage

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peekay · 12/06/2018, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilp2006

Not QT’ing your CUC?

I have a huge batch from RC that complete 76 day QT in 9 days. My diatom bloom lasted 3 weeks and will probably be done by the time CUC is ready. It’s at that gross stringy dying off stage

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I wasn't planning on QT'ing the CUC. I'll roll the dice on this one, I think

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11/19/2018, 04:46 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Patience __________________ Who me?

11/19/2018, 05:53 PM	#3
neilp2006 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 312	It is a normal part of the early life of a reef tank. It is thought that silicates in the sand and rock leaches out, essentially feeding the diatoms. They are a unicellular life form that has a hard ‘shell’ made of silica. Once the population booms, and consumes all of the silicates, they will die off. So, as stated above, patience. If they bother you, you can siphon them out, but they’ll return until all of the silicates are consumed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11/19/2018, 06:58 PM	#4
Jason9488 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 152	Thanks. Tank has been up for 8 months.

11/19/2018, 06:59 PM	#5
neilp2006 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 312	Silicates can also come from tap water... maybe your DI needs changed? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11/19/2018, 07:00 PM	#6
Jason9488 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 152	All of my water comes from my local fish store. I will talk to the owner and see if he needs to change filters out

11/21/2018, 12:13 PM	#7
jlmawp Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 595	It would be a good idea to run tests on the water next time you get a batch. You cant be too careful with LFSs sometimes.

11/22/2018, 03:20 AM	#8
ABzReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 51	I am the same issue Tanks been up for 9 month, and it looks soooo bad