1-1/2 yr old tank bad diatom outbreak...

[Smarkalan83]

I have had my 60 gallon up for a year and a half now ...about 2 months ago I was talked into using purple up to help my corraline growth...well about month into using it I had bad cyano outbreak which I decided to try and suck up the cyano and I guess I took too much sand out...now I have a dark brown layer across 3/4 of my tank and on certain rocks...when the lights come on u don't see any but then it gets darker through the day...what is my best option I already change 15 gallons and have been changing 5-10 every 2 weeks but it doesn't seem to be getting better...guy at lfs said I just have to wait it will go away but is that the truth???

 

[AquaRick]

If it's diatoms, then yes you need to wait it out as they consume the silicates in your tank. Are you sure it's diatoms? Seems odd to get diatoms with a year and a half tank.

 

[Smarkalan83]

That's what I thought but when I talked to various guys at lfs they said they are pretty sure it is diatoms because I messed w the sand it had to start biological cycling all over again...he looked at my tank levels he said everything was normal

 

[AquaRick]

Give it time and see what happens.