Diatom bloom - Time for 1st water change?

FishWatcher · 03/18/2007, 11:11 PM

My tank has been running for about a month, starting to get the diatom bloom everywhere. I added 4 snails and 6 little blue-leg hermits (28g tank) and they seem to be enjoying dining on all the gunk.

I did a search and found a lot of info about the diatom stage, but was wondering if it would be appropriate to do my first water change now? If not then when?

tk1360 · 03/18/2007, 11:28 PM

I would hold off a bit and my reasoning would be to wait for the hair algae to rear its ugly head ( or just the hair... sorry:S). Personally I waited for all the hair algae because I heard/read/ or was told that this would help promote a better cycle and potentially minimize algae blooms downt he road when adding livestock. (double check this last bit with someone of more experience. For the life of me I can't remember the source)

FishWatcher · 03/19/2007, 01:11 AM

so around what month should I do the 1st water change, 3-4 ?

motlot77 · 03/19/2007, 03:18 AM

i started doing water changes at the 1 week mark. everyone does it differently.

TekCat · 03/19/2007, 04:04 AM

water changes are essential. some do it monthly, some bi weekly, some weekly. IMHO, it is good to get into the habbit of water changes early. Especially if it is a new tank, there are some things still trying to decompose (on the LR), and this releases junk into water. You really don't want to keep all the crap in your tank.
Here is my suggestion: 10% weekly water change from now on.
hth

Mariner · 03/19/2007, 04:29 AM

You should do a good sized water change immediately after your water tests show that your cycle is finished (0 ammonia and 0 nitrites). This initial water change should be fairly large (20% or more). It will help remove nitrates that built up during the cycle. After that, I also recommend 10% weekly water changes.
FWIW,
Mariner

tk1360 · 03/19/2007, 10:27 PM

blech.... so i'm the only crazy one I guess. FWIW since the end of the cycle I do weekly waterchanges religiously of at least 10%, more if I have added anything substantial. I forget where along my graph the diatoms came but I do know that I waited as long as possible to ensure the biggest cycle I could get. I just hope I am not the only crazy misguided person out there.

Jocool · 03/19/2007, 10:37 PM

I have found that Snails do way more than Crabs, in fact over time youre crabs will grow molt and kill your snails for larger shells. For that reason alone I got rid of all my crabs and got a skunk cleaner shrimp- who is 10 times more efficient and better at cleaning everything, including your hand and arm when in the tank. =)

Go out and get 5 + more snails, I have 10 in ten gallon and they keep everything squeaky clean!!!@!! Heck get 2 skunks!

bbehring · 03/19/2007, 10:53 PM

I fired mine up and did my first water change within 5 days (10%), curing my pre-cured (which meant mostly dead) LR in tank. I'm over a month now, do 10% WC/weekly. All my water parameters are good and not much diatom or hair algae to speak of yet? I'm sure it's coming in due time! I do have a good cleaner crew, including quite a few snails, a few hermits, 2 emerald crabs and a skunk cleaner shrimp. Love em all!

03/18/2007, 11:11 PM	#1
FishWatcher Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: san francisco Posts: 46	Diatom bloom - Time for 1st water change? My tank has been running for about a month, starting to get the diatom bloom everywhere. I added 4 snails and 6 little blue-leg hermits (28g tank) and they seem to be enjoying dining on all the gunk. I did a search and found a lot of info about the diatom stage, but was wondering if it would be appropriate to do my first water change now? If not then when?

03/19/2007, 03:18 AM	#4
motlot77 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: bay area Posts: 355	i started doing water changes at the 1 week mark. everyone does it differently. __________________ "I don't trust or love anyone. Because people are so creepy. Creepy creepy creeps. Creeping around. Creeping here and creeping there. Creeping everywhere. Crippity crappity creepies." Current Tank Info: 25 gal tall, 2 x 65w pc, aqua c remora hob skimmer, fluval for flow and carbon

03/19/2007, 04:29 AM	#6
Mariner Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: North Alabama Posts: 3,952	You should do a good sized water change immediately after your water tests show that your cycle is finished (0 ammonia and 0 nitrites). This initial water change should be fairly large (20% or more). It will help remove nitrates that built up during the cycle. After that, I also recommend 10% weekly water changes. FWIW, Mariner __________________ DESIGN DEMANDS A DESIGNER. ~The perception is that perception is reality, but the reality is that it isn't. Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef; 135g mixed reef

03/18/2007, 11:28 PM	#2
tk1360 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 138	I would hold off a bit and my reasoning would be to wait for the hair algae to rear its ugly head ( or just the hair... sorry:S). Personally I waited for all the hair algae because I heard/read/ or was told that this would help promote a better cycle and potentially minimize algae blooms downt he road when adding livestock. (double check this last bit with someone of more experience. For the life of me I can't remember the source)

03/19/2007, 01:11 AM	#3
FishWatcher Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: san francisco Posts: 46	so around what month should I do the 1st water change, 3-4 ?

03/19/2007, 04:04 AM	#5
TekCat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MN Posts: 3,130	water changes are essential. some do it monthly, some bi weekly, some weekly. IMHO, it is good to get into the habbit of water changes early. Especially if it is a new tank, there are some things still trying to decompose (on the LR), and this releases junk into water. You really don't want to keep all the crap in your tank. Here is my suggestion: 10% weekly water change from now on. hth

03/19/2007, 10:27 PM	#7
tk1360 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 138	blech.... so i'm the only crazy one I guess. FWIW since the end of the cycle I do weekly waterchanges religiously of at least 10%, more if I have added anything substantial. I forget where along my graph the diatoms came but I do know that I waited as long as possible to ensure the biggest cycle I could get. I just hope I am not the only crazy misguided person out there.

03/19/2007, 10:37 PM	#8
Jocool Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 126	I have found that Snails do way more than Crabs, in fact over time youre crabs will grow molt and kill your snails for larger shells. For that reason alone I got rid of all my crabs and got a skunk cleaner shrimp- who is 10 times more efficient and better at cleaning everything, including your hand and arm when in the tank. =) Go out and get 5 + more snails, I have 10 in ten gallon and they keep everything squeaky clean!!!@!! Heck get 2 skunks!

03/19/2007, 10:53 PM	#9
bbehring Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hemet, California Posts: 917	I fired mine up and did my first water change within 5 days (10%), curing my pre-cured (which meant mostly dead) LR in tank. I'm over a month now, do 10% WC/weekly. All my water parameters are good and not much diatom or hair algae to speak of yet? I'm sure it's coming in due time! I do have a good cleaner crew, including quite a few snails, a few hermits, 2 emerald crabs and a skunk cleaner shrimp. Love em all!