Diatom Problem

[u418936]

Two weeks ago, I had to take most of rock out of my tank to catch some cleaner shrimp, which were eating my clams. The rock was out of the water for about 2 hours. To prevent too much die-off, I covered the rock with wet towels that I soaked with water from my tank. Before I put the rocks back in, I siphoned all the detritus off the top of my sand bed.

Now, my sand and glass are covered in brown diatoms. My nitrates and phosphates are zero, so I'm not sure why I'm having this problem. I tried doing a water change (with R/O water from my Kent-Maxxima HI-S R/O unit), but that seemed to make it worse. Does anybody know how to get rid of the diatoms? Maybe I just have to be patient and wait it out?

 

[drummereef]

That is strange... Do you have a DI stage on the RO. I would suggest getting one if it didn't come with it. The DI takes out silicate which feeds diatoms.

 

[alan214]

I agree with drummereef. Check the TDS reading on your water filter and see what's up there. It's possible you triggered a mini-cycle with all the activity you did.

 

[u418936]

My R/O unit says it removes silicate. Also, I've never had this problem before--except when I first set up my tank about six years ago. It must be a mini-cycle. I don't have any nitrites or ammonia, though.

I just bought a 6" diamond goby, and he made my sand look as good as new in less than a day lol.