Diatom Bloom

[NicoC16]

I've had a diatom bloom in my tank now for several days and all of my live rock is covered in brown. My sand is also turning the same color. I was wondering if there is any way to end this or if it is just a phase that my tank is going through. What's next after this bloom that I should look out for?

 

[Cichlid-dude]

Diatoms will eventually go away on its own. Some tanks they are gone in a few days and others take longer. Dont worry it will clear up before you know it.

 

[jwh0818]

Yes its just a phase. To the best of my knowledge, it means your tank is on the right track

 

[Cichlid-dude]

Yes its just a phase. To the best of my knowledge, it means your tank is on the right track

Agreed, usually pops up at the end of the cycle.

 

[bill302]

It is a phase and should go away only if your not adding fuel to feed the diatoms. do you have filters do you clean the filters regularly? Are you using ro/di or tap water? Do you over feed? also what are your water readings I know when I had diatoms my nitrates were at 20 ppm and diatom bloom slowed when nitrate readings went to 0 but for some reason I would get a diatom bloom after my 10 percent weekly water changes so I changed my water changes to 10 percent every other week with good results.. Oh and the next problem after diatoms will prolly be hair algae...lol

 

[Cichlid-dude]

If im not mistaken diatoms feed off of silicates. Once the silicates are gone the diatoms die off.