diatoms?? with pix

[stingers81]

hey guys
does this look like diatoms to you? it started on this rock and now its spreading on all the other rocks..

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

It does to me. How old is your tank? Diatoms feeding on silicates in the water is a natural part of cycling a tank. If your tank is a little older, it could be a sign of nitrate or phosphate buildup.

 

[skylsdale]

Yup...diatoms.

 

[stingers81]

Yes its a new tank....i know its common to get them at the beginning but i just wanted to make sure.....should I pick up few snails or just let it be? Also, Im going to add my first fish tomorrow (pair of clowns)...will the diatoms cause any problems to the fish?

 

[The Reefer91]

no fish. not for a month at least. also check your water parameters to be sure the cycle is over when you do add fish

 

[stingers81]

I tested my parameters...they've been good for a month now....
0 for ammonia
0 for nitrites
0 for nitrates
0 for phosphates

I cured my rock in a different container for about 2 months and had the rocks in this tank for about 4 weeks...do I really need to wait one more month??

 

[fishman805]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6920814#post6920814 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stingers81
I tested my parameters...they've been good for a month now....
0 for ammonia
0 for nitrites
0 for nitrates
0 for phosphates

I cured my rock in a different container for about 2 months and had the rocks in this tank for about 4 weeks...do I really need to wait one more month??

If everything is how you say, then I would go ahead with the clown pair and stick with that for a little while and keep monitoring your perameters.... Water changes during the process will help ... You may also go through a slight green algae phase but your equipment list looks very good for that tank .... If you plan on keeping it a FOWLR tank then you don't have to worry about the lights..... However, if you plan on putting in an anemone with the clowns, then you will have to provide better lighting to keep the anemone in good health... An anemone that clowns will host to will require spot on water quality as well as good strong lighting....

Bob

 

[Swanwillow]

I'm going through the end FIT of a diatom bloom... just wait it out, or, use a turkey baster to blow stuff off the rocks...


whats REALLY funny: seahorses are so slow that they naturally grow algae. guess what color my seahorses are currently

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

Agree with fishman -- a 90 gallon with 20 gallon sump with clean water parameters, fully cured rock, and an ASM G3 is ready to take fish. The diatoms are just part of the cycling -- not the nitrogen cycle, but the routine cycle of a new saltwater aquarium. You can add some more flow to the tank if you want to cut down on the diatoms / algae.