Diatoms in 2 year old tank

[Potluck]

I gave a 30 gallon tank with one big convict, i adopted the tank after my nephew refused to take care of it of 2 years ago i took control of it, it had cheap national geographic sand substrate, fake decor, I am going to redo it soon with rocks and drift wood maybe cichlid substrate from Caribsea, but nothing I do gets rid of the diatoms, I do 30% weekly on that tank, but I was just curious if it could be the very old t8 bulb?

 

[Brookster123]

Same sand bed?

 

[Potluck]

Same sand bed?

Yes I haven't changed anything I was thinking there's a lot of silicates in that sand but I'm Not sure, I was thinking it was the t8 with a reflector as that fish cannot stand to have the light off so I only turn the light off during the day when there's ambient light from the house.

 

[Brookster123]

I'd tear it down and start anew.

 

[Potluck]

I'd tear it down and start anew.

Like replace the substrate and do what I was already going to do with driftwood and river rock? I just didn't want to have to remove him and I will have to if I do gravel, does sand substrate hold live bacteria? I mean it probably won't affect my cycle as I have a modded Marineland and a aquaclear 50 running on the tank but I want to be sure
And get a non plant t8

 

[Brookster123]

Yes, that substrate is probably holding all types of crap you'll never be able to rid the tanl.of with out complete removal. Just drain the tank water into a bucket, hang the aqua clear 50 on side and leave him in there for a few hours while you over haul the tank. He'll be fine

 

[Potluck]

Yes, that substrate is probably holding all types of crap you'll never be able to rid the tanl.of with out complete removal. Just drain the tank water into a bucket, hang the aqua clear 50 on side and leave him in there for a few hours while you over haul the tank. He'll be fine

OK brookster I have a 15 gallon Tupperware tote also 2 20 gallons not in use i just dint want to stress him out he's about 5.5 years old

 

[Brookster123]

Hmm. Maybe set aside aside half the tank water to add back so it's not a major fresh water shock. I guess when they've acclimated to certain conditions, high nitrate and such, sudden change can be a bad thing, even if it's fresh clean water.

 

[Potluck]

Hmm. Maybe set aside aside half the tank water to add back so it's not a major fresh water shock. I guess when they've acclimated to certain conditions, high nitrate and such, sudden change can be a bad thing, even if it's fresh clean water.

I was going to put all the water I take out back in the tank, fill the 20 gallon up and put him In that Tank , put the rest in a bucket or it would just be like doing a 10 gallon water Change or do you think that would still be to stressful?

 

[Brookster123]

Sounds fine. He's probably a pretty tough fish at this point.

 

[erikbb]

diatoms

Are there any real solutions to getting rid of diatoms or brown algae? Nobody posted any real solutions.

I have a 1 year old tank and some of the leaves have a build up of brown algae. Is there anyway to clear it out? It's only on some of the leaves!

thanks,
erik

 

[Brookster123]

Manual removal, maintaining a clean, balanced tank. They usually disappear with time.