Diatoms or something else?

squid row · 10/29/2018, 09:22 AM

Background:
Tank is a 72 gallon bow front FOWLR (plus a BTA)

Had the tank set up for 9 months and had to take it down to move. Kept the rock and sand in the tank water until I was able to set it up again three months later.

Tanks has been set up for three months now and appears to be going through the uglies. When the lights come on, there is a bit of brown algae which I am assuming are diatoms.

However, by the time the lights go off 8 hours later, the entire tank is covered in brown algae. Rocks, sand and glass.

I am assuming it is diatom and that my CUC is eating it at night.

Is that a correct assumption or do I have something else going on?

Last check of parameters showed:
Ammonia - 0
PH - 8.4
Phosphate - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0

Wasn't sure if my test kit was accurate so brought a sample to the LFS and they found the same

mcgyvr · 10/29/2018, 10:22 AM

Pics?
Could be dinoflaggettes... could just be diatoms.. could be cyanobacteria.. a picture can help confirm.

squid row · 10/29/2018, 10:33 AM

Lights just coming on

mcgyvr · 10/29/2018, 02:04 PM

Looks like diatoms to me for sure..
Normal new tank look there.. It will pass in time..
Clean up crew will help too..
Cerith/Nerites,etc... will certainly tackle that in time..

squid row · 10/29/2018, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Looks like diatoms to me for sure..
Normal new tank look there.. It will pass in time..
Clean up crew will help too..
Cerith/Nerites,etc... will certainly tackle that in time..

Thank you!

Have the cerith/nerites in there doing their thing along with turbos

10/29/2018, 09:22 AM	#1
squid row Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 94	Diatoms or something else? Background: Tank is a 72 gallon bow front FOWLR (plus a BTA) Had the tank set up for 9 months and had to take it down to move. Kept the rock and sand in the tank water until I was able to set it up again three months later. Tanks has been set up for three months now and appears to be going through the uglies. When the lights come on, there is a bit of brown algae which I am assuming are diatoms. However, by the time the lights go off 8 hours later, the entire tank is covered in brown algae. Rocks, sand and glass. I am assuming it is diatom and that my CUC is eating it at night. Is that a correct assumption or do I have something else going on? Last check of parameters showed: Ammonia - 0 PH - 8.4 Phosphate - 0 Nitrite - 0 Nitrate - 0 Wasn't sure if my test kit was accurate so brought a sample to the LFS and they found the same

10/29/2018, 10:22 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Pics? Could be dinoflaggettes... could just be diatoms.. could be cyanobacteria.. a picture can help confirm. __________________ Who me?

10/29/2018, 02:04 PM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Looks like diatoms to me for sure.. Normal new tank look there.. It will pass in time.. Clean up crew will help too.. Cerith/Nerites,etc... will certainly tackle that in time.. __________________ Who me?