Dealing with Diatom

haushinka · 04/13/2010, 10:32 AM

I recently (3 weeks ago) upgraded from a 38 gallon to a 112 gallon. I have a 38 gallon sump & 38 gallon refugium. I've really had an out of control diatom of brownish crap all over everything. I believe a lot of the problem could've come from filling it with tap water. It was kind of an emergency when I set up the tank and I don't have an RO unit. I pick up the bottles each week. Anyways, my 38 started leaking one night and I wasn't even starting to set up the 112 gallon yet. The only option I had was the tap water but now I've been using RO water for top ups and water changes. I have had the lights out the last 2 days and only turn them on for about an hour and feed very lightly, it seems to be helping and I'm going to vaccum out as much as I can tonight and bulk up my cleaning crew but is there anything else anyone can suggest? I have cheato in my refugium that I added about a week and a half ago and I'm open to all suggestions.

Sugar Magnolia · 04/13/2010, 10:34 AM

I'd suggest doing a few really big water changes over the next week or so to get the tap water out of the equation.

haushinka · 04/13/2010, 10:48 AM

Thanks I think I'll give that a shot. I've also heard a phosphate sponge would help clearn out tap water problems should I try this as well?

Sugar Magnolia · 04/13/2010, 10:52 AM

Running some form of GFO would be a good idea. I'm not a real fan of the sponges. They just don't work as well as the loose GFO. You can buy Phosban or buy the Bulk Reef Supply GFO. It works just as well.

haushinka · 04/13/2010, 10:56 AM

Thanks a lot for the help.

alemab3 · 04/13/2010, 10:57 AM

silicates, silicates and silicates. These are the three reasons for Diatoms. They use silicates to form their hard glass like shell. Tap water is full of silicates. Big water changes with RO/DI water is a necessity.

haushinka · 04/13/2010, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alemab3

silicates, silicates and silicates. These are the three reasons for Diatoms. They use silicates to form their hard glass like shell. Tap water is full of silicates. Big water changes with RO/DI water is a necessity.

I will definitely start doing this. It's 112 gallons. How much water would you suggest I change at a time? Also should I still limit the amount of time I have the lights on?

Dustin1300 · 05/06/2010, 08:32 PM

I would agree with everyone on the water changes. At this point that is the largest concern. I'd target 25% water changes each day until the diatoms start getting better.

superpfa · 05/07/2010, 05:27 PM

I have the same problem...I started doing weekly water changes and it seems to be getting better.. looking into ro or diatom filter not sure which to start with ...I dont use tap water anymore... I am getting water from well not sure if that has silicates in it ?

04/13/2010, 10:32 AM	#1
haushinka Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 13	Dealing with Diatom I recently (3 weeks ago) upgraded from a 38 gallon to a 112 gallon. I have a 38 gallon sump & 38 gallon refugium. I've really had an out of control diatom of brownish crap all over everything. I believe a lot of the problem could've come from filling it with tap water. It was kind of an emergency when I set up the tank and I don't have an RO unit. I pick up the bottles each week. Anyways, my 38 started leaking one night and I wasn't even starting to set up the 112 gallon yet. The only option I had was the tap water but now I've been using RO water for top ups and water changes. I have had the lights out the last 2 days and only turn them on for about an hour and feed very lightly, it seems to be helping and I'm going to vaccum out as much as I can tonight and bulk up my cleaning crew but is there anything else anyone can suggest? I have cheato in my refugium that I added about a week and a half ago and I'm open to all suggestions.

04/13/2010, 10:34 AM	#2
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	I'd suggest doing a few really big water changes over the next week or so to get the tap water out of the equation. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

04/13/2010, 10:52 AM	#4
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Running some form of GFO would be a good idea. I'm not a real fan of the sponges. They just don't work as well as the loose GFO. You can buy Phosban or buy the Bulk Reef Supply GFO. It works just as well. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

04/13/2010, 10:57 AM	#6
alemab3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Newark Posts: 209	silicates, silicates and silicates. These are the three reasons for Diatoms. They use silicates to form their hard glass like shell. Tap water is full of silicates. Big water changes with RO/DI water is a necessity. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 125 in the wall mostly all sps

04/13/2010, 10:48 AM	#3
haushinka Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 13	Thanks I think I'll give that a shot. I've also heard a phosphate sponge would help clearn out tap water problems should I try this as well?

04/13/2010, 10:56 AM	#5
haushinka Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 13	Thanks a lot for the help.

05/06/2010, 08:32 PM	#8
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	I would agree with everyone on the water changes. At this point that is the largest concern. I'd target 25% water changes each day until the diatoms start getting better.

05/07/2010, 05:27 PM	#9
superpfa Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2	I have the same problem...I started doing weekly water changes and it seems to be getting better.. looking into ro or diatom filter not sure which to start with ...I dont use tap water anymore... I am getting water from well not sure if that has silicates in it ?