Rusty-like debris on sand

lazluvtoo · 09/19/2007, 12:17 PM

Does anyone know what it means it a "rusty" colored debris is covering my substrate only a few hours after I clean it?

My nitrates are high, but I am working on getting them down.

Thanks!

Cindy

corbett_n · 09/19/2007, 12:18 PM

maybe diatoms from low flow areas

vanmo92 · 09/19/2007, 01:08 PM

I am guessing it is diotoms.

lazluvtoo · 09/19/2007, 04:33 PM

Can you explain to me what diotoms are and what causes them? I never had this problem before. The only change to my tank lately has been new lightbulbs.

harryk · 09/19/2007, 08:25 PM

its a Diatom bloom (a form or algae). Lower your phosphates and maybe boost your water flow and it will usually go away.

lazluvtoo · 09/19/2007, 09:12 PM

interesting...and I just put in two bags of Chemi-Pure Elite...designed to eliminate phosphates!

harryk · 09/19/2007, 10:12 PM

It happens to everyone. Normal occurance that usually in most cases goes away on its own. Doing a water change wouldn't hurt either

lazluvtoo · 09/21/2007, 04:49 PM

Here is a picture of the "diatomes" on my sand/crushed coral substrate...

http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...t=IMG_0953.jpg

09/19/2007, 12:17 PM	#1
lazluvtoo Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 249	Rusty-like debris on sand Does anyone know what it means it a "rusty" colored debris is covering my substrate only a few hours after I clean it? My nitrates are high, but I am working on getting them down. Thanks! Cindy __________________ If my tank is beautiful...life is beautiful!! Current Tank Info: 90 gl reef containing mostly mushrooms & polyps, a bubble and a leather. Tangs, green reef cromis', and a maroon clown and his carpet anemone

09/19/2007, 01:08 PM	#3
vanmo92 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Silverthorne, CO. Posts: 2,045	I am guessing it is diotoms. __________________ PBITAWA Current Tank Info: 72 gallon bow Mixed Reef 1 fw tank

09/19/2007, 04:33 PM	#4
lazluvtoo Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 249	Can you explain to me what diotoms are and what causes them? I never had this problem before. The only change to my tank lately has been new lightbulbs. __________________ If my tank is beautiful...life is beautiful!! Current Tank Info: 90 gl reef containing mostly mushrooms & polyps, a bubble and a leather. Tangs, green reef cromis', and a maroon clown and his carpet anemone

09/19/2007, 09:12 PM	#6
lazluvtoo Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 249	interesting...and I just put in two bags of Chemi-Pure Elite...designed to eliminate phosphates! __________________ If my tank is beautiful...life is beautiful!! Current Tank Info: 90 gl reef containing mostly mushrooms & polyps, a bubble and a leather. Tangs, green reef cromis', and a maroon clown and his carpet anemone

09/21/2007, 04:49 PM	#8
lazluvtoo Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 249	Here is a picture of the "diatomes" on my sand/crushed coral substrate... http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...t=IMG_0953.jpg __________________ If my tank is beautiful...life is beautiful!! Current Tank Info: 90 gl reef containing mostly mushrooms & polyps, a bubble and a leather. Tangs, green reef cromis', and a maroon clown and his carpet anemone

09/19/2007, 12:18 PM	#2
corbett_n Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SC Posts: 1,271	maybe diatoms from low flow areas

09/19/2007, 08:25 PM	#5
harryk Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 262	its a Diatom bloom (a form or algae). Lower your phosphates and maybe boost your water flow and it will usually go away.

09/19/2007, 10:12 PM	#7
harryk Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 262	It happens to everyone. Normal occurance that usually in most cases goes away on its own. Doing a water change wouldn't hurt either