Opinion on diatom bloom please!

nanshaw2001 · 03/04/2011, 05:36 AM

I have had a 150 tall up for almost 2 years but couldn't keep anything but fish for lack of proper lighting. I am now tearing down my 55 reef and have added mud from it and a 150 w MH pendant. Rerockscaped the 150 and large water change last Sunday. All parameters look great but I am having a big brown bloom- lol. Mini cycle or leaving the mh on too long ( 10-12 hrs per day)? Thanks for ANY input!

billdogg · 03/04/2011, 06:25 AM

Probably just a little cycle. Sounds like things got stirred up a bit. I would not worry about it at all.. If it won't go away, leave you lights off for a few days. I usually just use it as an excuse to clean the sand a bit when I do a water change.

jbell370 · 03/04/2011, 06:29 AM

I would also say to cut your lighting schedule down, I have only ever had my MH on for 8hrs per day.

nanshaw2001 · 03/04/2011, 08:13 AM

Thank you for your replys! One more question- I also added alot of rock from the 55 reef which has been up for 3 years. In the 150 I have NEVER been able to get snails to survive- crabs do fine. Now with the diatom bloom ( I assume this is a positive indicator) might snails survive now? TIA!

jformani · 03/04/2011, 08:28 AM

i would check for high nitrates if you couldnt keep snails. i think you also stirred up the tank and its causing a mini cycle. i also think 10-12 hours per day is to much lighting. i keep my halide on for 6 hours in my frag tank. and corals are fine. 8 is probably better but i would back it down.

03/04/2011, 05:36 AM	#1
nanshaw2001 Older newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Statesboro, Ga Posts: 501	Opinion on diatom bloom please! I have had a 150 tall up for almost 2 years but couldn't keep anything but fish for lack of proper lighting. I am now tearing down my 55 reef and have added mud from it and a 150 w MH pendant. Rerockscaped the 150 and large water change last Sunday. All parameters look great but I am having a big brown bloom- lol. Mini cycle or leaving the mh on too long ( 10-12 hrs per day)? Thanks for ANY input! __________________ My job doesn't begin to support my addiction! Current Tank Info: 125 Mixed reef, 55 softie tank in the works!

03/04/2011, 06:25 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Probably just a little cycle. Sounds like things got stirred up a bit. I would not worry about it at all.. If it won't go away, leave you lights off for a few days. I usually just use it as an excuse to clean the sand a bit when I do a water change. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

03/04/2011, 08:13 AM	#4
nanshaw2001 Older newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Statesboro, Ga Posts: 501	Thank you for your replys! One more question- I also added alot of rock from the 55 reef which has been up for 3 years. In the 150 I have NEVER been able to get snails to survive- crabs do fine. Now with the diatom bloom ( I assume this is a positive indicator) might snails survive now? TIA! __________________ My job doesn't begin to support my addiction! Current Tank Info: 125 Mixed reef, 55 softie tank in the works!

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03/04/2011, 06:29 AM	#3
jbell370 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: St. Catharines, Canada Posts: 143	I would also say to cut your lighting schedule down, I have only ever had my MH on for 8hrs per day.

03/04/2011, 08:28 AM	#5
jformani Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 730	i would check for high nitrates if you couldnt keep snails. i think you also stirred up the tank and its causing a mini cycle. i also think 10-12 hours per day is to much lighting. i keep my halide on for 6 hours in my frag tank. and corals are fine. 8 is probably better but i would back it down.