diatoms in new tank

aquablast · 08/25/2010, 07:41 PM

new to hobby with 75 gal. tank and 29 gal. sump. Been up and running 3 weeks, 2 weeks with fish (2 small clowns and 2 fire fish). Cycled rock in plastic garbge can for 6 weeks prior. Amonia, nitrite and nitrate have all been 0 since start up and phosphate tests very low. Running protien skimmer and use RODI water. Lights on for about 7 hours. A week ago diatoms appeared on sand and now rock. I read this is normal for new tank, but how long until they go away??

twintrades · 08/25/2010, 07:44 PM

It will feel like forever !! Trust me. But it will pass just keep up your weekly routine. Ill say somthing like 5 weeks. But there are tons of variables.

Agu · 08/25/2010, 07:48 PM

Could last from a week to five years .............

I have a 5 year old tank that has a minor outbreak when the pistol shrimp decides to excavate a new spot in the sand bed.

A week to a month is normal. Blasting them into suspension so the skimmer might help. Even if it doesn't, you'll feel like you're doing something

.

UnknownFish · 08/25/2010, 07:49 PM

My old 75 I went through the diatoms for about 6 weeks or so, my 180 has been set up for 4 months and I am still getting diatoms like crazy.

twintrades · 08/25/2010, 08:05 PM

Turbo snails like diatoms it was kinda cool to see where the snail went durring the day

beadlocked450r · 08/26/2010, 03:01 PM

How do you know if you have diatom?what's it look like?

Jstdv8 · 08/26/2010, 03:45 PM

i had diatoms for about 1 month. so thick i couldnt see a single piece of my LR. then one day it was just gone, pure white rocks.

seege · 08/26/2010, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beadlocked450r

How do you know if you have diatom?what's it look like?

Light to dark brown algae that can replace itself in minutes.

aquablast · 08/26/2010, 06:24 PM

I believe it is diatoms because it looks like all the pictures I have seen on this site. Golden brown patches on sand and rock and blows off pretty easy. Only running one hydor koralia 4 powerhead plus return flow from sump which I estimate around 500 gph. I figure more flow would help, so I plan to get another hydor 3 this weekend. Do you think with that I would have enough flow for mixed corals in the future?

beadlocked450r · 08/27/2010, 10:26 AM

Nope I don't have that problem,thanks

DZs · 08/27/2010, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquablast

I believe it is diatoms because it looks like all the pictures I have seen on this site. Golden brown patches on sand and rock and blows off pretty easy. Only running one hydor koralia 4 powerhead plus return flow from sump which I estimate around 500 gph. I figure more flow would help, so I plan to get another hydor 3 this weekend. Do you think with that I would have enough flow for mixed corals in the future?

DZs · 08/27/2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquablast

I believe it is diatoms because it looks like all the pictures I have seen on this site. Golden brown patches on sand and rock and blows off pretty easy. Only running one hydor koralia 4 powerhead plus return flow from sump which I estimate around 500 gph. I figure more flow would help, so I plan to get another hydor 3 this weekend. Do you think with that I would have enough flow for mixed corals in the future?

I would go even higher then the 3.

steelhead77 · 08/27/2010, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnknownFish

My old 75 I went through the diatoms for about 6 weeks or so, my 180 has been set up for 4 months and I am still getting diatoms like crazy.

+1. My 180 is going on 8 months and I still occasionally get them. Typically a light dusting on my sand, not really a problem, just dirty looking.

08/25/2010, 07:41 PM	#1
aquablast Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 52	diatoms in new tank new to hobby with 75 gal. tank and 29 gal. sump. Been up and running 3 weeks, 2 weeks with fish (2 small clowns and 2 fire fish). Cycled rock in plastic garbge can for 6 weeks prior. Amonia, nitrite and nitrate have all been 0 since start up and phosphate tests very low. Running protien skimmer and use RODI water. Lights on for about 7 hours. A week ago diatoms appeared on sand and now rock. I read this is normal for new tank, but how long until they go away??

08/25/2010, 07:48 PM	#3
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	Could last from a week to five years ............. I have a 5 year old tank that has a minor outbreak when the pistol shrimp decides to excavate a new spot in the sand bed. A week to a month is normal. Blasting them into suspension so the skimmer might help. Even if it doesn't, you'll feel like you're doing something . __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

08/25/2010, 07:49 PM	#4
UnknownFish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 115	My old 75 I went through the diatoms for about 6 weeks or so, my 180 has been set up for 4 months and I am still getting diatoms like crazy. __________________ 180 gallon RR, 80 gallon sump/refugium, Mag18 return pump, 3 maxi-jet 1200 mods, 1 maxi-jet 400 mod, JBJ ATO, Kent Aqua Doser for Kalk, 3x250w Phoenix 14k's

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08/25/2010, 07:44 PM	#2
twintrades Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 671	It will feel like forever !! Trust me. But it will pass just keep up your weekly routine. Ill say somthing like 5 weeks. But there are tons of variables.

08/25/2010, 08:05 PM	#5
twintrades Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 671	Turbo snails like diatoms it was kinda cool to see where the snail went durring the day

08/26/2010, 03:01 PM	#6
beadlocked450r Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: dover de Posts: 294	How do you know if you have diatom?what's it look like?

08/26/2010, 03:45 PM	#7
Jstdv8 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 1,420	i had diatoms for about 1 month. so thick i couldnt see a single piece of my LR. then one day it was just gone, pure white rocks.

08/26/2010, 06:24 PM	#9
aquablast Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 52	I believe it is diatoms because it looks like all the pictures I have seen on this site. Golden brown patches on sand and rock and blows off pretty easy. Only running one hydor koralia 4 powerhead plus return flow from sump which I estimate around 500 gph. I figure more flow would help, so I plan to get another hydor 3 this weekend. Do you think with that I would have enough flow for mixed corals in the future?

08/27/2010, 10:26 AM	#10
beadlocked450r Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: dover de Posts: 294	Nope I don't have that problem,thanks