another diatom discussion

akronreef · 10/20/2010, 08:31 PM

so me and my roomate (who is working on the tank with me) have been arguing about our diatom issue in our tank. we've had the problem for about a 2 weeks now and it doesn't seem to be decreasing at all and through all of my research it seems like it is diatoms. through multiple tests over this period, our nitrate, nitrate and ammonia are all zero and our reading for phosphate is very small (sorry i forget the exact number but the fact is that it is in there). He argues that we don't have a problem with phosphates but i am making the argument that although the phosphate is very low, there is still alot in there it is just not showing because the diatoms are consuming it. the tank has been running for about 4 months now with now other problems thus far. my question is...who is right, if someone even is. thank you as always

nicfo25 · 10/20/2010, 10:33 PM

Are you using RO water? Phosphates will feed the algae, I would try and get rid of the phosphate via a reactor with GFO. Just my opinion.

Sisterlimonpot · 10/20/2010, 10:58 PM

if it is a diatom bloom it will subside on it's own, if it's algae you will have to drop your phosphates because even though you have a low reading may only indicate that the algae is consuming it and converting it as quick as it's being produced, get yourself some macroalgae like chaeto and place it in the sump with a PC light to compete with the other algae's to remove phosphates and nitrates and in turn starve the other algae in your tank.

Palting · 10/21/2010, 07:49 AM

4 months is a little on the long side to still have diatoms. Usually, algae would have taken over by now. I would do what sisterlimonpot said.

akronreef · 10/21/2010, 08:07 AM

ya i think the problem is we started with all tap water but have been doing weekly water changes weith ro water for the past 2 months. also i saw something that macrorocks are know for having phosphates on them so maybe these two things combined are whats fueling the problem

10/20/2010, 08:31 PM	#1
akronreef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kent, OH Posts: 29	another diatom discussion so me and my roomate (who is working on the tank with me) have been arguing about our diatom issue in our tank. we've had the problem for about a 2 weeks now and it doesn't seem to be decreasing at all and through all of my research it seems like it is diatoms. through multiple tests over this period, our nitrate, nitrate and ammonia are all zero and our reading for phosphate is very small (sorry i forget the exact number but the fact is that it is in there). He argues that we don't have a problem with phosphates but i am making the argument that although the phosphate is very low, there is still alot in there it is just not showing because the diatoms are consuming it. the tank has been running for about 4 months now with now other problems thus far. my question is...who is right, if someone even is. thank you as always

10/20/2010, 10:58 PM	#3
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	if it is a diatom bloom it will subside on it's own, if it's algae you will have to drop your phosphates because even though you have a low reading may only indicate that the algae is consuming it and converting it as quick as it's being produced, get yourself some macroalgae like chaeto and place it in the sump with a PC light to compete with the other algae's to remove phosphates and nitrates and in turn starve the other algae in your tank. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

10/21/2010, 07:49 AM	#4
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	4 months is a little on the long side to still have diatoms. Usually, algae would have taken over by now. I would do what sisterlimonpot said. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

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10/20/2010, 10:33 PM	#2
nicfo25 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Montana Posts: 171	Are you using RO water? Phosphates will feed the algae, I would try and get rid of the phosphate via a reactor with GFO. Just my opinion.

10/21/2010, 08:07 AM	#5
akronreef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kent, OH Posts: 29	ya i think the problem is we started with all tap water but have been doing weekly water changes weith ro water for the past 2 months. also i saw something that macrorocks are know for having phosphates on them so maybe these two things combined are whats fueling the problem