Diatom/Algae Help

zotnano23 · 07/05/2007, 04:44 PM

I have been having trouble for the past two weeks with my 12 gallon aquapod. I've been having a problem with what I think is diatoms. I've been doing everything to try to stop the out break. I do 25% water changes every 5 days. All the water changes are done with ro/di water. I change my filter floss once a week. I scrub the glass and siphon dying algae with a turkey baster.

Tank parameters:
salinity- .024
ammonia- 0
nitirite-0
nitrates-5ppm
phosphates- 0
-water changes done though saltwater from local store
-topoff from own ro/di unit
-both store water and personal water tested for phosphates: 0

I know this is a normal part of a new tank, but I'm a little worried cause its been over two weeks and its just getting worse. Could there be something wrong with the sand i.e: two much silica. If so, the rock grow tons of algae too. Should I lower the lighting? I'm worried about that because I dont want to affect the coral that I have: xenia, zooas, polyps. Thanks for any advise. Here are some pictures.
[IMG] http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...ge_001__2_.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG] http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...ge_003__2_.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG] http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...ge_002__2_.jpg[/IMG]

zotnano23 · 07/05/2007, 04:49 PM

I was also wondering, should I use something to battle the algae: uv light, phosphate remover, carbon, etc?

rbtwo4 · 07/05/2007, 04:49 PM

how new is the tank? might be its just cycling which is very normal. it will go away on its own

zotnano23 · 07/05/2007, 04:54 PM

The tank is about 6 weeks old. The tank cycled in about 2 weeks. I waited about one week after the cycle before I started to add any livestock. All the coral in the tank look healthy and are growing very fast.

rbtwo4 · 07/05/2007, 04:55 PM

did u add a cleaning crew?

davidknulp · 07/05/2007, 04:59 PM

should wait.. no other way.. if diatom disapears, green algae comes. if you still have diatom after 3 months, then it will be problem. now it is perfectly normal..

zotnano23 · 07/05/2007, 05:11 PM

I have 6 hermit crabs and two astraea snails as my clean up crew. They have been working overtime. Theres snail droppings everywhere.

rbtwo4 · 07/05/2007, 05:18 PM

maybe its ur water flow do u have any powerheads in the tank? again this is something that will go away in time.

zotnano23 · 07/05/2007, 06:44 PM

I just adjusted the flow on my powerhead. I'm hoping this will help.

SHLove16 · 07/05/2007, 08:41 PM

Man, I feel your pain....My 12 gallon is now 8 weeks old and I have been cleaning off the diatoms for about 2 weeks now...it sucks. I too have been doing frequent water changes (using RO/DI water) and all my parameters are good and corals healthy...it's just a major eye sore to look at. Man oh man...if you find a way to cut it back let me know...as of now I am gonna try to wait it out. It doesn't harm fish does it?

zotnano23 · 07/05/2007, 10:38 PM

My clownfish is doing great. The Xenia is already starting to reproduce.
All of my zoas are starting to grow new buds. Overall, I have not had anything die or do poorly. It just bums me out to see it like that everyday.

07/05/2007, 04:44 PM	#1
zotnano23 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Fernando Valley Posts: 36	Diatom/Algae Help I have been having trouble for the past two weeks with my 12 gallon aquapod. I've been having a problem with what I think is diatoms. I've been doing everything to try to stop the out break. I do 25% water changes every 5 days. All the water changes are done with ro/di water. I change my filter floss once a week. I scrub the glass and siphon dying algae with a turkey baster. Tank parameters: salinity- .024 ammonia- 0 nitirite-0 nitrates-5ppm phosphates- 0 -water changes done though saltwater from local store -topoff from own ro/di unit -both store water and personal water tested for phosphates: 0 I know this is a normal part of a new tank, but I'm a little worried cause its been over two weeks and its just getting worse. Could there be something wrong with the sand i.e: two much silica. If so, the rock grow tons of algae too. Should I lower the lighting? I'm worried about that because I dont want to affect the coral that I have: xenia, zooas, polyps. Thanks for any advise. Here are some pictures. [IMG] http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...ge_001__2_.jpg[/IMG] [IMG] http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...ge_003__2_.jpg[/IMG] [IMG] http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...ge_002__2_.jpg[/IMG]

07/05/2007, 04:49 PM	#3
rbtwo4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 747	how new is the tank? might be its just cycling which is very normal. it will go away on its own __________________ I am completely ADDICTED!!!! Current Tank Info: 30G Rimless Deep Blue, AI Sol, 120 SWC Skimmer, Apex controller, MP10

07/05/2007, 04:55 PM	#5
rbtwo4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 747	did u add a cleaning crew? __________________ I am completely ADDICTED!!!! Current Tank Info: 30G Rimless Deep Blue, AI Sol, 120 SWC Skimmer, Apex controller, MP10

07/05/2007, 05:18 PM	#8
rbtwo4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 747	maybe its ur water flow do u have any powerheads in the tank? again this is something that will go away in time. __________________ I am completely ADDICTED!!!! Current Tank Info: 30G Rimless Deep Blue, AI Sol, 120 SWC Skimmer, Apex controller, MP10

07/05/2007, 04:54 PM	#4
zotnano23 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Fernando Valley Posts: 36	The tank is about 6 weeks old. The tank cycled in about 2 weeks. I waited about one week after the cycle before I started to add any livestock. All the coral in the tank look healthy and are growing very fast.

07/05/2007, 04:59 PM	#6
davidknulp Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 14	should wait.. no other way.. if diatom disapears, green algae comes. if you still have diatom after 3 months, then it will be problem. now it is perfectly normal..

07/05/2007, 05:11 PM	#7
zotnano23 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Fernando Valley Posts: 36	I have 6 hermit crabs and two astraea snails as my clean up crew. They have been working overtime. Theres snail droppings everywhere.

07/05/2007, 06:44 PM	#9
zotnano23 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Fernando Valley Posts: 36	I just adjusted the flow on my powerhead. I'm hoping this will help.

07/05/2007, 08:41 PM	#10
SHLove16 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Johnson City, TN Posts: 208	Man, I feel your pain....My 12 gallon is now 8 weeks old and I have been cleaning off the diatoms for about 2 weeks now...it sucks. I too have been doing frequent water changes (using RO/DI water) and all my parameters are good and corals healthy...it's just a major eye sore to look at. Man oh man...if you find a way to cut it back let me know...as of now I am gonna try to wait it out. It doesn't harm fish does it?

07/05/2007, 10:38 PM	#11
zotnano23 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Fernando Valley Posts: 36	My clownfish is doing great. The Xenia is already starting to reproduce. All of my zoas are starting to grow new buds. Overall, I have not had anything die or do poorly. It just bums me out to see it like that everyday.