Diatoms?

[FutureBoyGenius]

Well I am pretty sure this is a perfect example of diatoms. Any advice? I am in the process of adding a refugium with cheato to my system and I am using RO/DI water. The tank receives no sunlight, but my nitrates are hovering around 20 mg/L.

I know this topic has been worn out. If nothing else I wanted to provide a good example of a diatom problem

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

the tank is still young so this is common.

lower phosphates and nitrates will help remove them.

 

[JLAURIA751]

Get a diamond spotted goby they are great at sifting the sand and should eat anything in the sand, If its on their menu Im not sure If they eat diatoms.

 

[FutureBoyGenius]

Well it usually takes about 24 hours for it to look like that. I usually just stir up the sand, is that bad?

 

[jdieck]

You may need to switch your salt. Silicates and excesive iron will promote it. If you are supplementing any iodine, stop it.

 

[JLAURIA751]

If you go 2 a LFS and see their behavior you will know what I mean

 

[FutureBoyGenius]

Actually I bought a Diamond Goby about two weeks ago and he got picked on by my psuedochromis and didn't make it. I also had a rock work catastrophe that probably stressed him out even more.

But, I would love to try again with one. I think they are really unique fish, not to mention beneficial sand sifters like you said.

 

[FutureBoyGenius]

I use Reef Crystals Salt Mix. Is that bad?

I don't supplement anything but Purple Up. Should I quit that too?

 

[FutureBoyGenius]

In your experience will Purple Up encourage diatoms and nuissance algea?

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

I have never used purple up so I couldn't say anything about that. but are you monitoring your cal. and alk. when dosing the stuff?

 

[jdieck]

Purple up will do little for your tank. Just finely ground aragonite sand with some iodine. Save your money on that one too.
I got the same with Reef Crystals, I am still fighting it but now it takes about a week to come back. Also RC has certain vitamins that promotes some algae like cyano.
I first noticed it could be the salt when aerating the mixing tank and noticed a large amount of brown dirt like in it.
I switched to Red Sea Pro. I next will try Seachem's to see if it improves faster.

 

[FutureBoyGenius]

Jdiek: I have also seen this residue at the bottom of my rubbermaid mixing vat. I may try Red Sea Pro next.

 

[FutureBoyGenius]

Jdiek: I have also seen this residue at the bottom of my rubbermaid mixing vat. I may try Red Sea Pro next.

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13104636#post13104636 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FutureBoyGenius
Jdiek: I have also seen this residue at the bottom of my rubbermaid mixing vat. I may try Red Sea Pro next.

I will try Seachem next as although less, I still see some of the brown residue with the sea chem.