Diatoms!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[eco23]

Aargh! Beautiful cycled yank, recently stocked...and diatoms on everything! (except the fish, lol.)

I know this is a normal part of a newer tank. How long before they went away in yours? Any hints to make them go away faster? I actually read using more light and oxygen can help get rid of them, true? Seems like the opposite would work. I'm picking up some RCS on Wednesday, but I know they can't keep up with the......Diatoms!!!

 

[fort384]

More light is often said to help. More flow can help. Lots of PWCs and brushing can help. With my latest tank, I had a diatom outbreak that was bad for about 2 weeks, and went completely away after about 4 weeks. It varies... but every tank I have ever setup has had a diatom outbreak.

 

[eco23]

Thanks Fort. I was actually afraid too many pwc's might make it last longer if I had silicates in my water that were helping cause it (I haven't tested). Does anyone know if when this stuff dies off, does it just kind of disappear or do I have to scrub / replace all my deco?

 

[fort384]

it will brush off... and you will export what's left with PWCs.

Everyone is always overly worried about the silica content of their tap water. 95% of people's tap water is fine. I wouldn't get worried unless this continues for over about a month or so. Until then, patience

 

[eco23]

Yeah, I think it's just part of the new tank process. The aquariums I've had here before never had a chronic problem. Thanks. Just hate seeing my beautiful tank covered in brown.

 

[justcrusin]

Yeah, I think it's just part of the new tank process. The aquariums I've had here before never had a chronic problem. Thanks. Just hate seeing my beautiful tank covered in brown.

Having a similar issue here. Had the outbreak for about 6 weeks. So many different opinions on what to do. Latest opinion was to stop doing water changes. I'm so confused and I want my beautiful clear water back.

 

[eco23]

My first step is to give it time. I'm also putting in a bunch of cherry shrimp to help out. If in about a month the problem isn't getting better I might start looking at silica absorbers.

 

[justcrusin]

My first step is to give it time. I'm also putting in a bunch of cherry shrimp to help out. If in about a month the problem isn't getting better I might start looking at silica absorbers.

My LFS suggested some ghost shrimp. I added them, but they are so hard to see I don't think they are around anymore. Do you know how to test for the excess silica?

 

[eco23]

My LFS suggested some ghost shrimp. I added them, but they are so hard to see I don't think they are around anymore. Do you know how to test for the excess silica?

I've heard there's a test kit, but I haven't looked for one. I'm sure it'll go away since my tanks only been cycled for less than a month...but I'm a less than patient person. I'm gonna just try to wait it out though.

One question I do have. I have upgraded lighting in this tank. I have two T-5 bulbs...one actinic and one "ultra sun", fancy word for white. I'm wondering if I should only run one, both or none?

 

[jmartin71]

I had mine breakout yesterday, it's horrible looking. I posted on here and got the same responses as Fort gave you. I googled it 100 times today and I read that less light and pwc is the way to go. I also read that corys will help not sure on that. I am new to the hobby I'm just telling you what I've read. But if it's normal for young tanks according to everyone here I'm going to sit and wait!! I will be interested to hear if the shrimp help?

 

[xander]

My juvenile bristlenose love it. I put them in a tank that had the whole back glass covered with it. I put 3 small BNP and it was gone in less than a week. The front of the glass was scrubbed clean during a previous PWC so this was older diatoms and not fresh ones but I'm sure that they would like an outbreak.

 

[roydooms]

My juvenile bristlenose love it. I put them in a tank that had the whole back glass covered with it. I put 3 small BNP and it was gone in less than a week. The front of the glass was scrubbed clean during a previous PWC so this was older diatoms and not fresh ones but I'm sure that they would like an outbreak.

+1

My bristlenose plecos likes the diatoms as well. My amazon swords were covered in diatoms and it took less than a week for them to clean it. They didn't clean my ludwigias though. I also increased my tanks water flow and most of the diatoms never came back. I also upped my lighting and reduced the photo period.

 

[eco23]

+1

My bristlenose plecos likes the diatoms as well. My amazon swords were covered in diatoms and it took less than a week for them to clean it. They didn't clean my ludwigias though. I also increased my tanks water flow and most of the diatoms never came back. I also upped my lighting and reduced the photo period.

Thanks guys... Can you explain the "upped lighting and reduced photo period" part? Meaning stronger lights for less time? Sorry.

 

[roydooms]

Thanks guys... Can you explain the "upped lighting and reduced photo period" part? Meaning stronger lights for less time? Sorry.

Upgraded my light from low to medium-high and reduced the "lights on" from 11 hours to only 9 hours.

 

[eco23]

Upgraded my light from low to medium-high and reduced the "lights on" from 11 hours to only 9 hours.

Great, thanks for the info. Do you have any idea if the actinic light I have in combo with the white might be helping / hurting?

 

[roydooms]

Great, thanks for the info. Do you have any idea if the actinic light I have in combo with the white might be helping / hurting?

It doesn't help or hurt your plants. It'll make your tank look nice but that's it.

 

[eco23]

Thanks Roy. I'll wait it out and make some RCS happy in the mean time.

 

[roydooms]

You're welcome

 

[jmartin71]

Ok so they are getting worse my filter tube is brown so is the tube from that is connected to power tube! What should I Do?

 

[fort384]

It's only been 3 days. Patience. It could last weeks. In the mean time, brush 'em off.