Arg! I need some help from the local experts.

[scubarich]

I've spent the last 4 months setting up a 150 tall with about 30 more gallons in the sump. I read everything I could get my hands on and asked lots and lots of questions - plus I've had nano tanks for years and they are doing great.

The problem: Diatoms. The tank is loaded with the pest alga and this is after a 3 month cycle process. the RO water I use measures as pure as anything I've ever seen. The sand was good stuff. All the rock is from Bulk Reef Supply. All my parameters check out. I have 12 snails and 8 crabs and 5 Cromis in the tank...all looking healthy and happy - also a devils hand and and some Jasmine polyps.

I'm totally mystified by what is causing the diatom/brown alga to stick around the way it is.

So...I need an expert or expert advice or both. And maybe that person could show me how to the h*** to use these bleeping red sea tests for Alk/Calcium. The directions are easy to follow, but my results are wildly different than what they should be.

-Signed - Overrun with diatoms in Salem!

I'm sure we could come up with some way for me to return the favor.

 

[dadyoj21]

I only use salifert test kits, they are very reliable, never had a problem with diatoms but would look up and find out which snails and crabs are the best for them and buy a bunch. When in doubt I find a large water change usually works wonders. BRS rock usually cycles pretty hard. you have like no bio load if you have not done water changes I would do a large 30-40% water change and then start 20% monthly.

 

[scubarich]

Your advice is always welcome. Thanks and will do.

 

[ThurlowR]

I use Red Sea for my tests kits and don't have any issues. What type of Bulk reef supply rock did you get ?

 

[sam.basye]

What is your lighting schedule?

I've found that a longer day cycle (~12hrs) of light yields uncontrollable diatom growth. I've limited the day cycle in my tank to ~7hrs and they don't come back but once a month.
You can then shut off the lights, or just run moonlights for 3ish days and they disappear completely.
I believe they're highly light dependent for growth.

Good luck irradiating the algae!

 

[scubarich]

Thanks for all the advice: My lighting schedule is about 6.5 hours a day and the BRS rock was a combination of Fiji, Reef Saver and one huge 30 pound pukani rock (all of them dry) - all of which cycled for about 3 months.
The small cleaning crew I have in the tank is making slow and steady progress toward mowing down the alga and I'm doing the suggested water changes.

Thanks for the advice and taking time to respond.

ThurlowR, are you using Radions for lighting? What color / intensity are you running those at? The Pros are REALLY bright and I'm only running them at 20% intensity at the moment. The small number of corals and such that I have in the tank seem to like the setup.

 

[UNCsalt]

What is your flow like in your tank? What are you using and type of return pump? We all have the diatom bloom when setting up, now you said you have been working on setting up for about 4 months, is that how long it has been running? Also are you running any GFO reactors?

 

[Hokies83]

Swing by with your test kit and a water sample I'll show you how to use it. Can also use my kits test for other things.

 

[scubarich]

Cycled for about 3 months total - setting up was another month or two. I have two MP 40s running, one up fairly high and one about mid level....water movement is reasonable and with the MP 40s I can certainly crank it up.. For a return pump I got a MagDive 12 (1200 GPH). Not using any GFO reactors, but I do have "Chemi Pure Blue" carbon bags in the flow. That carbon has worked AMAZING in my nano tanks.

 

[Hokies83]

I'd use reactors on large systems

 

[scubarich]

Took your advice and ordered a reactor. The "Chemi Pure Blue" carbon work wonders but I just can't the water to flow through them enough in this setup. Thanks again for the help.

 

[Hokies83]

Np anything else my email and phone are always there for ya.