diatoms?? with pix

stingers81 · 03/09/2006, 07:23 PM

hey guys
does this look like diatoms to you? it started on this rock and now its spreading on all the other rocks..

Alaskan Reefer · 03/09/2006, 07:28 PM

It does to me. How old is your tank? Diatoms feeding on silicates in the water is a natural part of cycling a tank. If your tank is a little older, it could be a sign of nitrate or phosphate buildup.

skylsdale · 03/09/2006, 07:40 PM

Yup...diatoms.

stingers81 · 03/09/2006, 07:51 PM

Yes its a new tank....i know its common to get them at the beginning but i just wanted to make sure.....should I pick up few snails or just let it be? Also, Im going to add my first fish tomorrow (pair of clowns)...will the diatoms cause any problems to the fish?

The Reefer91 · 03/09/2006, 08:16 PM

no fish. not for a month at least. also check your water parameters to be sure the cycle is over when you do add fish

stingers81 · 03/09/2006, 08:20 PM

I tested my parameters...they've been good for a month now....
0 for ammonia
0 for nitrites
0 for nitrates
0 for phosphates

I cured my rock in a different container for about 2 months and had the rocks in this tank for about 4 weeks...do I really need to wait one more month??

fishman805 · 03/09/2006, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by stingers81
I tested my parameters...they've been good for a month now....
0 for ammonia
0 for nitrites
0 for nitrates
0 for phosphates

I cured my rock in a different container for about 2 months and had the rocks in this tank for about 4 weeks...do I really need to wait one more month??

If everything is how you say, then I would go ahead with the clown pair and stick with that for a little while and keep monitoring your perameters.... Water changes during the process will help ... You may also go through a slight green algae phase but your equipment list looks very good for that tank .... If you plan on keeping it a FOWLR tank then you don't have to worry about the lights..... However, if you plan on putting in an anemone with the clowns, then you will have to provide better lighting to keep the anemone in good health... An anemone that clowns will host to will require spot on water quality as well as good strong lighting....

Bob

Swanwillow · 03/09/2006, 08:32 PM

I'm going through the end FIT of a diatom bloom... just wait it out, or, use a turkey baster to blow stuff off the rocks...

whats REALLY funny: seahorses are so slow that they naturally grow algae. guess what color my seahorses are currently

Alaskan Reefer · 03/09/2006, 08:38 PM

Agree with fishman -- a 90 gallon with 20 gallon sump with clean water parameters, fully cured rock, and an ASM G3 is ready to take fish. The diatoms are just part of the cycling -- not the nitrogen cycle, but the routine cycle of a new saltwater aquarium. You can add some more flow to the tank if you want to cut down on the diatoms / algae.

03/09/2006, 07:23 PM	#1
stingers81 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 393	diatoms?? with pix hey guys does this look like diatoms to you? it started on this rock and now its spreading on all the other rocks.. __________________ "Success is a Journey, not a Destination". Current Tank Info: 90g, 20g sump,asm g3 skimmer, fowlr, crappy lights

03/09/2006, 07:28 PM	#2
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	It does to me. How old is your tank? Diatoms feeding on silicates in the water is a natural part of cycling a tank. If your tank is a little older, it could be a sign of nitrate or phosphate buildup. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

03/09/2006, 07:51 PM	#4
stingers81 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 393	Yes its a new tank....i know its common to get them at the beginning but i just wanted to make sure.....should I pick up few snails or just let it be? Also, Im going to add my first fish tomorrow (pair of clowns)...will the diatoms cause any problems to the fish? __________________ "Success is a Journey, not a Destination". Current Tank Info: 90g, 20g sump,asm g3 skimmer, fowlr, crappy lights

03/09/2006, 08:16 PM	#5
The Reefer91 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,250	no fish. not for a month at least. also check your water parameters to be sure the cycle is over when you do add fish __________________ Dan "Every day we fade little by little, 'till there's nothing left of us but the lies we've sown." Current Tank Info: 20g L display: 2x65watt Coralife light, Octopus 150 needle wheel protein skimmer, 1 Koralia 2 and 2 powersweeps, and a DIY sump/fuge.....120G in the works!!!

03/09/2006, 08:20 PM	#6
stingers81 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 393	I tested my parameters...they've been good for a month now.... 0 for ammonia 0 for nitrites 0 for nitrates 0 for phosphates I cured my rock in a different container for about 2 months and had the rocks in this tank for about 4 weeks...do I really need to wait one more month?? __________________ "Success is a Journey, not a Destination". Current Tank Info: 90g, 20g sump,asm g3 skimmer, fowlr, crappy lights

03/09/2006, 07:40 PM	#3
skylsdale Reefer Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Central WA Posts: 2,220	Yup...diatoms.

03/09/2006, 08:32 PM	#8
Swanwillow goby girl Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bemidji MN Posts: 2,025	I'm going through the end FIT of a diatom bloom... just wait it out, or, use a turkey baster to blow stuff off the rocks... whats REALLY funny: seahorses are so slow that they naturally grow algae. guess what color my seahorses are currently __________________ my advice:walk away. do nothing. til tomorrow. if its still alive, it will hopefully be fine. If you do not see it, do not try to find it. it may be hiding. just LEAVE it alone Current Tank Info: starting over! 125 gallon. Soon to be home to Blackfoot clowns, A. nigripes

03/09/2006, 08:38 PM	#9
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	Agree with fishman -- a 90 gallon with 20 gallon sump with clean water parameters, fully cured rock, and an ASM G3 is ready to take fish. The diatoms are just part of the cycling -- not the nitrogen cycle, but the routine cycle of a new saltwater aquarium. You can add some more flow to the tank if you want to cut down on the diatoms / algae. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress