Ditaoms for how long????

[jumpincactus]

I am happy to report that all is going as planned with a relatively new tank. Rock has been cycled for a month now and it was coloring up real nice. Then almost overnight here came the rust colored diatoms. They are covering everything. looks really crappy I might add.

If I remember correctly this is a normal occurance with a new tank correct? And then as magically as it appeared it will also go away??? I am using carbon and Rowaphos and RO water. So where is the silica that is feeding the diatoms coming from. My water parameters are near perfect in all areas.

Again will this diatom explosion go away and how long does it generally take.

 

[kraze3]

Its probably time for a cleanup crew to go ina nd do its job, should take care of it so you dont have to see it anymore.

 

[MCary]

Small amounts of diatoms may persist for a very long time. But diatoms are easily controled. The big blooms seen in new tanks last onyl for a couple weeks if you have a decent clean up crew.

Let me tell you about astrea snails:

This is my tank when it was new, the next day after adding astrea snails:

and the following day:

Mike

 

[kraze3]

lol nice That was fast and very cost efficient

 

[jumpincactus]

Mhhh thats odd I have 15 astreas and they are not doing much good at all

 

[salreus]

I am working on a new tank also. One thing that worked for me was to leave the lights off for one day. Not sure if you have anything in your tank that requires lights nor do I know if i would be ok to starve light needing coral of light for one day. But I don't have the problem as of yet and the next time I did turn on the lights. everything was cleared up. well that and all the snails.

 

[MCary]

J-cactus

I had 100 astrea snails. Clean-up crew from reeftopia.

Mike

 

[jumpincactus]

Yea maybe I need some more snails. I am only running 15 in a 120. I just think its a PITA having to right the little buggers all the time. Anyone know of any grazers that can right themselves after tipping or falling???

 

[snarkes]

Cerith snails can right themselves I believe and they're pretty awesome grazers.