Diatoms from cleaning the tank?

[Xolsiion]

I've had my tank for about 10 months - after about 6 months I moved the rock/water/corals to a 20 gallon (was 15). In the old tank it was in an alcove and I didn't clean the sides - just the front - so the sides were covered in green film and slowing being pushed out by coralline. With the new place I clean the sides and the front semi-daily (and sometimes the back) of the green film on my glass. I've noticed that I have a much harder time with diatoms on my sand than I did before

My first question: Could my cleaning the sides of the tank allow more free nutrients because the film algae on the sides is no longer there to consume it? And thus, I can make my sand look better by cutting back on the glass-cleaning?

My second question: I just picked up a fist size silver pumping xenia and read that they like 'dirty' water and that they suck up nutrients from the water column. Is it possible that Xenia can help with my diatoms by consuming some of the same nutrients as algae?

 

[IslandCrow]

I'm afraid I can't answer the diatom question, except to say that I tend to have at least a minor diatom outbreak all four times I've either moved my tank or set up a new tank with some of the contents of the old.

As for the xenia, there's absolutely no proof that they consume any nutrients that promote algae growth. The most common rumor is that xenia use nitrates. I think that stemmed from the belief that they must be using something as a nitrogen source (the zooxanthallae only provide a source of carbon), but that nitrogen source is not necessarily nitrates. I don't really subscribe to the "dirty water" theory either. The truth is, most of our tanks are pretty "dirty" compared to the average coral reef. I have to frag my xenia just about every other week to keep it from taking over my tank, and I've had undetectable levels of nitrates and phosphates for years.

 

[Xolsiion]

Thanks for the response!

I've had my tank moved four about 4 months now and I've still got the brown (more greenish lately) stuff on my sand - not horrible or anything, but definitely longer than the duration of it on my 15. I posted this on the newbie forum about 2 weeks ago and never got a response and I have noticed a slight improvement as I let the sides green up - so it seems plausible. Hopefully someone else will have a similar story...

For the xenia - that's what I was looking for, as I had only read that one time, but its good to hear that its completely anecdotal.

 

[saltydog64]

Xo.........

I reply because we don't ya to think we aren't here to help.....what ever that means?????? any how @ 10 months and with a capacity of 20 G (time u account for rock, critters, etc...probably 16 G or there abouts) it willn't take much to throw the balance of a still MATURING tank one way or the other.....I would think that if a "little brown" on sand is your only problem you're doing real good....... so go slow and let it run in so to speak...IMO...