Need help with a diatom outbreak

austinvanover · 07/23/2007, 09:08 PM

I have a really bad diatom outbreak. Ammonia is 0, nitrite is 0, nitrate is 5, phosphate is 0. I have had nitrates higher than 5 before with no diatom issues. I think I have had an issue with my RO/DI unit. My issue started when I began using water from the unit to top-off my water each day. My hammer coral hasn't expanded in over a week and my montipora is trying to bleach. Could this issue be related to chlorine in the water that the RO/DI unit did not take out. I went back to buying water from the local pet store and the diatom a subsided a little. Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be happening. I am planning a 20-30 gallon water change tomorrow to see if this helps any.

Any help is greatly appreciated,
Austin

Musho3210 · 07/23/2007, 09:24 PM

Tds reading of the water? And you can buy chlorine tests or just get a new carbon block if you feel chlorine is the culprit.

austinvanover · 07/23/2007, 09:39 PM

I do not have a tds meter, I did not buy one because purely H20 guaranteed zero tds with the unit I purchased. If it is not chlorine I am not sure what else it would be. However, I am done messing with the RO unit and I am not sinking any more money into it. It is on it way back for a refund. I just need to know what I can do to correct what is going on. Thank you for the input.

DW62 · 07/23/2007, 09:46 PM

I have diatoms occur about every six months or so. What I do to currect it seems quite extreme, but it works and the tank becomes extremely clear. Here goes....I turn all lights off and cover the tank with a sheet to create total blackout. All diatoms are totally gone in this period of time and my sandbed is gleaming again, for about six more months.

DW62 · 07/23/2007, 09:47 PM

Sorry, I forgot to mention the most important part. I keep the tank in total darkness for 3 days.

drummereef · 07/23/2007, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by austinvanover
I do not have a tds meter, I did not buy one because purely H20 guaranteed zero tds with the unit I purchased. If it is not chlorine I am not sure what else it would be. However, I am done messing with the RO unit and I am not sinking any more money into it. It is on it way back for a refund. I just need to know what I can do to correct what is going on. Thank you for the input.

Diatoms are usually from excess Silica, most of the time brought in from your water source. The only true way to beat them is to use water that has 0 TDS. The RO/DI unit would be a good investment. The 'black out' method is a temp fix, and albeit does work, is not a permanent solution. If it were me, I'd move forward with the RO/DI unit when you can. Make sure the unit has a DI stage. This is where you will produce completely 'pure' water. Without it it's hard to get 0 TDS.

http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ro_di_systems.htm

DW62 · 07/24/2007, 05:09 PM

I agree to absolutely use RD/DI water. My RO/DI is a six stage unit, with an additional DI filter. TDS is always 0. However, I still got some diatoms after a few months (overstocked or overfeeding or both!)

07/23/2007, 09:08 PM	#1
austinvanover Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 58	Need help with a diatom outbreak I have a really bad diatom outbreak. Ammonia is 0, nitrite is 0, nitrate is 5, phosphate is 0. I have had nitrates higher than 5 before with no diatom issues. I think I have had an issue with my RO/DI unit. My issue started when I began using water from the unit to top-off my water each day. My hammer coral hasn't expanded in over a week and my montipora is trying to bleach. Could this issue be related to chlorine in the water that the RO/DI unit did not take out. I went back to buying water from the local pet store and the diatom a subsided a little. Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be happening. I am planning a 20-30 gallon water change tomorrow to see if this helps any. Any help is greatly appreciated, Austin

07/23/2007, 09:24 PM	#2
Musho3210 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Evanston IL (near chicago) Posts: 1,899	Tds reading of the water? And you can buy chlorine tests or just get a new carbon block if you feel chlorine is the culprit. __________________ Ryan

07/23/2007, 09:46 PM	#4
DW62 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 58	I have diatoms occur about every six months or so. What I do to currect it seems quite extreme, but it works and the tank becomes extremely clear. Here goes....I turn all lights off and cover the tank with a sheet to create total blackout. All diatoms are totally gone in this period of time and my sandbed is gleaming again, for about six more months. __________________ something fishy going on around here.... Current Tank Info: 75g reef, 12g nano

07/23/2007, 09:47 PM	#5
DW62 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 58	Sorry, I forgot to mention the most important part. I keep the tank in total darkness for 3 days. __________________ something fishy going on around here.... Current Tank Info: 75g reef, 12g nano

07/24/2007, 05:09 PM	#7
DW62 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 58	I agree to absolutely use RD/DI water. My RO/DI is a six stage unit, with an additional DI filter. TDS is always 0. However, I still got some diatoms after a few months (overstocked or overfeeding or both!) __________________ something fishy going on around here.... Current Tank Info: 75g reef, 12g nano

07/23/2007, 09:39 PM	#3
austinvanover Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 58	I do not have a tds meter, I did not buy one because purely H20 guaranteed zero tds with the unit I purchased. If it is not chlorine I am not sure what else it would be. However, I am done messing with the RO unit and I am not sinking any more money into it. It is on it way back for a refund. I just need to know what I can do to correct what is going on. Thank you for the input.