diatoms diatoms diatoms

[aqua_dog]

Hey everyone. this is my first post as a new member and just want to take the time to say hi. also i have ran into a problem. i have recently used coral frenzy to feed my LPS/sps corals. this was a suggestion made my a friend. having only used it 2 times i doubt i have seen results but i think it caused a diatom bloom in my sand! which makes sense to me because of the nutrient level in the stuff. anyway, I've friend syphoning and disturbing the sand but they seem to just come back. my levels are all great. is there a critter that can eat this stuff or is it like in the case of a net cycling tank. that is with time they will just go away. thanks all!!!!

 

[djberg]

hermit crabs, emerald crabs(smaller females are prefered, the males have been notes to pick at corals) snails. pretty much any "cleaner pack" will do the trick.

 

[aqua_dog]

Yea that's what I thought as well. Thanks for the advice. I actually have 2 conch but maybe its too much work for them

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

welcome to the URS Forum on RC!
Something is amiss here. How did you identify the problem as diatoms?
Please post a picture.

 

[Foody]

The problem is not the diatom. The problem is the food that the diatom needs, either silicates or phosphates or both. Remove the silicates and/or phosphates and the diatoms can't thrive. Seachem makes a phosphate sponge that removes both. There are other products, such as GFO, etc.

 

[aqua_dog]

i thought they just looked like diatoms. i guess that is what i base my assumptions on. they just look similar to what i was told were diatoms during the initial cycling of the tank. i do run a phosphate remover and use ro/di filtration. the phosphates however could be in the coral frenzy right? should i continue using this?

 

[Jarrok]

Coloring is a bit strange on my phone, but looks like it might be cyanobacteria?

 

[idisc]

That does not look like Diatoms to me..the color is off and just doesn't seem likely to me

 

[fpv930]

I agree. The photo looks like Cyano to me also.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

The picture shows Cyanobacteria

 

[Andystl]

Yep, Cyanobacteria. Increase flow, lower nutrients and it should go away.

 

[aqua_dog]

ok sounds good THANKS EVERYONE! increase flow maybe another powerhead? ill stop using the coral frenzy as well. any critters that will help?

 

[aqua_dog]

will this harm anything?

 

[davidcoral]

Only your pride!

Cyano has been known to choke out corals for the light source. I had a problem with cyano and to correct that I did three things. First I increased the flow in my aquarium. Cyano live stagnant water. Second I made sure the only light entering my tank was light I wanted. I bought some curtains to block the sunlight and I put my lights on a timer. 3 to 11 that's when my tank is "awake." Finally I restricted how much I fed the tank and removed any excess nutrients. Controlling cyano isn't fun but it really isn't that hard either. Cyano is one of the necessary evils that people don't usually mention.

Best of luck

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Better skimming can solve cyano.
What kind of skimmer do you have?
Need more info on system .....

 

[aqua_dog]

i do have 2 poweheads running and i can see the little cyano "hairs" in the sand moving from flow so I'm not sure if its just not enough flow perhaps? i really only feed frozen. it was after the coral frenzy feedings, 2 to be exact that i saw this. i do rin ro/di.
i have a 30 gal sump with a g3 protein skimmer in my 125 gal, six foot long tank. it creates a lot of wet black smelly liquid and there is no light that comes into the room (blocked with curtains). i have 2 maxspect leds that are about a foot off the surface of the water. also do weekly 20% water changes. from what I'm hearing maybe just time will solve this..im worried about a "blackout" causing more harm to corals and such but am willing to try if that helps fix it.

 

[ReefKeeper64]

When battling cyano, the more flow you have the better. You want so much that your sand is almost blowing around. Of course, almost is the key word. With the right flow, cyano doesn't have a chance.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Put simply:

Waste export must be equal to or greater than import.
You can help your skimmer remove organics by running at SG 1.025-1.026

Cut back on feedings.
Get an RO Unit.
Maintain optimal water parameters.

Cyano can ALWAYS return if a reefkeeper isn't diligent.

PS: I can grow cyano in flow that would knock a person over.
The real problem is organics in the water. Flow is simply one means to help with nutrient export.
Heavy flow and no export = red slime.

 

[Foody]

No need to stop using Coral Frenzy. However, no need to use it daily or even weekly IMO. I used to use it once a month. Mostly out of forgetfulness I haven't used it in 6 months or so and my corals are growing like weeds.