just a couple of questions concerning algae

Lyotim88 · 05/06/2009, 12:31 PM

ok so my 55gal cycled about a week ago. And since about the middle of my cycle i've been getting a lot of what i think are diatoms on the glass and since about a week ago i'm getting a coating over a lot of my rock. What is this coming from? I've used 100% RO water from the beginning. The only thing i can think of is that it's near a window and the algae seems to grow most where the sun would shine in, should i cover the window completely like i did a while ago for the old FW tank? 2 days ago i added 11 turbo snails and i must say i can tell the difference but i feel like the algae has grown a lot since i've gotten them too. Do i add more CUC, if so, what? Do i start skimming now?( i was told not to skim for the first 3 months by the marine biologist at my LFS). Oh, and i'm running 2 koralia 4's, so it can't be the flow, right? Idk, any help guys? I'm obviously a complete newb. Thank you

Uncle Salty 05 · 05/06/2009, 01:21 PM

Diatoms are normal and to be expected.
Get some Cerith snails and take it slow, don't add too many fish too soon.

Aquarist007 · 05/06/2009, 01:38 PM

diatoms are supported by silicates unlike alage and cyano that are supported by nitrates and phosphates.
if you are using sand for the substrate then it is probably releasing silicates into the water.
but as mentioned above in any bloom eventually the bloom kills itself by consuming all the available fuel.

Lyotim88 · 05/06/2009, 02:03 PM

so could i add more cuc? If so what should i get?

Uncle Salty 05 · 05/06/2009, 02:19 PM

You might want to try some (maybe 20) Cerith snails.
They are the best diatom eaters I have seen.
Just go slow and let things adjust (2 weeks minimum) between new additions.

Aquarist007 · 05/06/2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lyotim88
so could i add more cuc? If so what should i get?

it will die out on its own when the level of silicates has been reduced

05/06/2009, 12:31 PM	#1
Lyotim88 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 155	just a couple of questions concerning algae ok so my 55gal cycled about a week ago. And since about the middle of my cycle i've been getting a lot of what i think are diatoms on the glass and since about a week ago i'm getting a coating over a lot of my rock. What is this coming from? I've used 100% RO water from the beginning. The only thing i can think of is that it's near a window and the algae seems to grow most where the sun would shine in, should i cover the window completely like i did a while ago for the old FW tank? 2 days ago i added 11 turbo snails and i must say i can tell the difference but i feel like the algae has grown a lot since i've gotten them too. Do i add more CUC, if so, what? Do i start skimming now?( i was told not to skim for the first 3 months by the marine biologist at my LFS). Oh, and i'm running 2 koralia 4's, so it can't be the flow, right? Idk, any help guys? I'm obviously a complete newb. Thank you

05/06/2009, 01:21 PM	#2
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	Diatoms are normal and to be expected. Get some Cerith snails and take it slow, don't add too many fish too soon. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

05/06/2009, 01:38 PM	#3
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	diatoms are supported by silicates unlike alage and cyano that are supported by nitrates and phosphates. if you are using sand for the substrate then it is probably releasing silicates into the water. but as mentioned above in any bloom eventually the bloom kills itself by consuming all the available fuel. __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

05/06/2009, 02:19 PM	#5
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	You might want to try some (maybe 20) Cerith snails. They are the best diatom eaters I have seen. Just go slow and let things adjust (2 weeks minimum) between new additions. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

05/06/2009, 02:03 PM	#4
Lyotim88 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 155	so could i add more cuc? If so what should i get?