Diatom Explosion from switching to RC?

[vickreyreef]

We switched from buying LFS salt water to buying our own ro/di machine and making our own water. My question is, since we started doing this we have had a diatom outbreak and cyano...could this be from the reef crystals?? Nothing else has changed and our perimeters have only gotten better since doing all this ourselves instead of buying it. What gives? I keep using the baster to gently blow it into the water column and do the same thing each week during water changes but within a day or two it is back all over the sand and the rocks. It's driving me crazy. Like I said, only change is the RC now....:rolleye1:

 

[HBtank]

For a second I though Reef Central gave your diatoms.

That wouldn't be cool...

 

[vickreyreef]

lol....:lol:

 

[HPD Turbo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10228217#post10228217 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HBtank
For a second I though Reef Central gave your diatoms.

That wouldn't be cool...

I was expecting something like. "since I am a member of this forum I have a very bad diatom bloom!!"

Sorry, back to the topic.

 

[WaterKeeper]

Must of read one of my threads where I'm always distributing brown silicate algae spores.

I really don't think it would be the salt but I've been wrong before. My guess would be that you added something with dead or dying sponge material on the specimen. That can indeed add silica into the water column.

Not to panic. They will go away on their own or you can add some snails to dine on them.

Or go back to RDO and see if that helps.

 

[Wett Hands]

::: Waiting patiently for an expert to chime in on this one:::

Sigh, where's ol' waterkeeper when ya need 'em

 

[WaterKeeper]

:lol:

Lurking above your post.

 

[ihopss]

I changed from IO to RC and that happened to me, I had some in my tank already(cyano), so I think I fueled the fire ,it is starting to clear up.

 

[IslandCrow]

How old is your tank. It could just be coincidence. I've been using RC (the salt, not the online forum) for close to a year with no problems. I've never tested it for silicates, but it has no detectable nitrates or phosphates. Also, what about your RO/DI? It sounds like that's a variable in this equation as well. I'm not sure if saltwater test kits work on fresh water, but at least make sure the TDS of the water coming out is 0.

You know, now that I think of it, I did have my cyano problem right around the first time I read one of Waterkeeper's threads. . .coincidence?

 

[Henry Bowman]

I agree with IslandCrow. I highly doubt it is the salt. RC is Instant Ocean with some additives more condusive to a reef environment (I use RC as well and doubt seriously if it includes silicates) You need to check your RO/DI . Do you in fact have DI resin hooked up to the unit. Where'd you get the unit ? What kind is it? Have you tested the output. TDS should be near 0.0

 

[WaterKeeper]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10228872#post10228872 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IslandCrow
You know, now that I think of it, I did have my cyano problem right around the first time I read one of Waterkeeper's threads. . .coincidence?

Nope, I also extrude a red slime wherever I go Mike.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10228585#post10228585 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wett Hands
::: Waiting patiently for an expert to chime in on this one:::

So am I but I bet it will be a long, long wait.:sad1:

 

[vickreyreef]

tank is 1 1/2 years old...tds is 0.0
ro/di is a brand new unit
I'll just be patient I guess it is just a coincidence...lol...good cuz I really like the RC salt!!

 

[Sk8r]

vickeysreef, also check out the thread on facts and fantasies: there's just been an article posted that may bear somewhat on your problem with a new tank.

 

[Henry Bowman]

Cyano is usually a nutrient driven algae in conjunction with low flow. If you can direct more flow toward the cyano and syphon it out when you do water changes. Also, have you changed feeding habits of products.

Since your ro/di unit is producing 0 TDS it's not the cause......?

 

[Whisperer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10236347#post10236347 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Henry Bowman
Cyano is usually a nutrient driven algae

Comments?

 

[Entropy]

I have found all algae to be nutrient driven, but I do agree with the flow issue. The places I had cyano in my old tank were all low flow areas.

My guess is that there is something in the new salt or water (or both) that was missing in the old stuff and the cyano is the first thing in your tank taking advantage of it.

Do you have a skimmer?

 

[aquarius77]

My salt is RC and i get scum in the 29g tank i mix it in every time i make water. I use ro/di water of 0 tds to mix with. My tanks also seem to grow some alge after water changes with RC? I just made my gf some water for her tank in an empty RC bucket and it left brown on the bottom of the white bucket. I still have the bucket if anyone wants pics of this. I myself have been wondering about the alge/RC connection, and what this scum is in my mixing containters.

Is there anyone else out there having these issues that has not spoke up? Something tells me there is...

 

[jimicasper]

Are the water lines properly hooked up? Your not putting the waste water in thier instead of the "clean" water?

 

[coast2coast7390]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10228217#post10228217 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HBtank
For a second I though Reef Central gave your diatoms.

That wouldn't be cool...

thats what i thought... :lol:

 

[vickreyreef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10232448#post10232448 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sk8r
vickeysreef, also check out the thread on facts and fantasies: there's just been an article posted that may bear somewhat on your problem with a new tank.

would love to read this but search function NEVER works ...anyone able to point me to it?

thanks!!!!!