Diatoms on Live Rock

stagger19 · 11/22/2007, 01:25 PM

Hi , Happy Thanksgiving to all!

The rock in my nano was nice and bright when I first set the tank up, now its brown, dark red colored, looks to be covered with diatoms. There is some coraline algea, but not to much.

Is there a way to get the diatoms of the rock?
Im thinking of turning my spare aquaclear into a fuge, will this help remove the diatoms covering the rock?

sir_dudeguy · 11/22/2007, 01:37 PM

Is it diatoms or red slime/cyano?

Did you just start the tank? If so, just let it go on its own, provided you keep the levels right. It will go away eventually if you do that.

If its not new, like over 8 months or so, then you may have a problem..what are your params at now?

spinninmidwater · 11/22/2007, 03:09 PM

if it's a new tank, diatom and cyano are a normal phase. just be patient ; )

stagger19 · 11/22/2007, 03:53 PM

Thanks for the replys....

I should have mentioned that the tank is about 6 months old, its a 20 gal high, with 2 percs, and about 10 snails mix of (Turbo, cerith, nass), and 1 scarlett cleaner Shrimp.

Filtration is a fluval 204, filled with filter floss (changed once a week), purigen, and live rock rubble
Flow is 2 Hydor Korilla 2 Power heads

Lights are on for 6 hours a day (36w PC 50/50)

Water is from RO/DI unit putting out 0 PPM

Here is a pic the best I could get to try and show what the rock looks like

Figure Id share my other tank I recently set up, its a 55 planted. Getting ready to add pressurized CO2 very soon

hybridgenius · 11/22/2007, 06:18 PM

The diatom phase is reallly common and should go away afterwards, but if you really want to get rid of it off the rocks just point your powerheads towards it.

hybridgenius · 11/22/2007, 06:18 PM

The diatom phase is reallly common and should go away afterwards, but if you really want to get rid of it off the rocks just point your powerheads towards it.

11/22/2007, 01:25 PM	#1
stagger19 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 122	Diatoms on Live Rock Hi , Happy Thanksgiving to all! The rock in my nano was nice and bright when I first set the tank up, now its brown, dark red colored, looks to be covered with diatoms. There is some coraline algea, but not to much. Is there a way to get the diatoms of the rock? Im thinking of turning my spare aquaclear into a fuge, will this help remove the diatoms covering the rock?

11/22/2007, 01:37 PM	#2
sir_dudeguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 10,841	Is it diatoms or red slime/cyano? Did you just start the tank? If so, just let it go on its own, provided you keep the levels right. It will go away eventually if you do that. If its not new, like over 8 months or so, then you may have a problem..what are your params at now? __________________ TAKE...LUCK!!!

11/22/2007, 03:53 PM	#4
stagger19 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 122	Thanks for the replys.... I should have mentioned that the tank is about 6 months old, its a 20 gal high, with 2 percs, and about 10 snails mix of (Turbo, cerith, nass), and 1 scarlett cleaner Shrimp. Filtration is a fluval 204, filled with filter floss (changed once a week), purigen, and live rock rubble Flow is 2 Hydor Korilla 2 Power heads Lights are on for 6 hours a day (36w PC 50/50) Water is from RO/DI unit putting out 0 PPM Here is a pic the best I could get to try and show what the rock looks like Figure Id share my other tank I recently set up, its a 55 planted. Getting ready to add pressurized CO2 very soon Last edited by stagger19; 11/22/2007 at 04:22 PM.

11/22/2007, 03:09 PM	#3
spinninmidwater Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 138	if it's a new tank, diatom and cyano are a normal phase. just be patient ; )

11/22/2007, 06:18 PM	#5
hybridgenius Moved On Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Boston Posts: 435	The diatom phase is reallly common and should go away afterwards, but if you really want to get rid of it off the rocks just point your powerheads towards it.