big decision need help!

[kook1e]

ok, so i'm getting another diatom bloom. my tank has been up and running for a good 3 months. i have 2 clowns, 3 hermits and about 5 snails. im getting a much better cuc soon, but my question is... should i redo my aquascaping? im really considering it. so that more flow is throughout the aquarium? i have a couple corals, but they can be easly moved so no biggy on that part. its a 24 gallon ap btw. plz help me with my decision!?

 

[Rjukan]

Sure go for it, the earlier the better IMO. Otherwise your going to look at it later and wonder why you didn't try moving the rock around. Can't hurt, worst case if you don't like the new setup you can put the rocks back the way they were.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Just be ready for the aquascape to kick off another (mini) cycle. The live rock in many tanks is full of debris that is easy to disturb if you rearrange the rockwork.

 

[Aquarist007]

see if you can borrow a diatom filter from some one in your area.
Re arrange your work and then run the diatom filter afterwards for about 24 hours.

 

[stingythingy45]

Yes,be prepared for a cyano outbreak next cause by the nutients being disturbed(mentioned above).
In all seriousness I would say that flow has very little to do with diatom outbreaks.IME,it seems to happen more when there's diatoms present in top-off water.Or when a tank is still in the cycling process.

 

[WaterKeeper]

Question-Are you using RO/DI or store bought distilled? Diatoms should have abated by now but tap water may contain silica that can fuel diatom blooms.

Can't tell you on the aquascape without seeing the tank but, in setting up a tank, it is not so much the arrangement that causes problems but the water quality. Set up your rock and such to allow good flow and also is pleasing to the eye.

 

[kook1e]

thanks guys. i have been using distilled water (store bought) but the diatoms just started up again for some reason? i know i cant be over feeding the guys i only do it 1x a day, and very little. (just enough for clowns to eat) my tank has def finished cycling tho. but how bad will the cycle be? more diatoms then they go away?

thanks!

 

[kook1e]

bump

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14818545#post14818545 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kook1e
how bad will the cycle be? more diatoms then they go away?

thanks!

It depends.

Stuff like this happens because there are (or have been) more nutrients added to the tank than what you're taking out. New tanks go through this because they are typically extremely nutrient-heavy (lots of live rock was just dumped in) and have a poor capacity to process or export those nutrients.

So, you've already suggested that you aren't adding nutrients fast - small feedings and using good source water. That's good, but you have to start removing nutrients fast, in order to catch up to what you've already added, and to reach a steady-state where export is greater than (or at worst equal to) import.

What are you doing for nutrient export? Skimming? Refugium stocked with macro algae? Water changes? etc.? Those factors will all contribute to shortening and lessening the severity of your problem.

 

[WaterKeeper]

Silica is the limiting factor in a diatom outbreak. My own belief is that dead encrusting sponges on curing LR accounts for the bloom most people get on a new tank. Silica is what gives a sponge its structure. Once the diatoms lock it up in their "shell" it seems to decline as they die off and does not allow further growth as the silica does not redissolve.. Of course, the rest of nutrients are available when they die so it fuels the following green algae outbreak.

If you have some snails that can help as they do eat diatoms.

 

[kook1e]

thanks waterkeeper and der_wille_zur_macht

 

[WaterKeeper]

Welcome and do you want my recipe for diatoms smothered in garlic sauce?

 

[kook1e]

oh of courseee! lol