yellow stuff on rocks

[R.W.]

i have had my tank running for about 1 week now, and i have started noticing all these little yellowish(throw-up colour) on my rocks. Then there is a large patch on on piece of rock. I was wondering what it could be.
Here are some pictures.

 

[uscharalph]

You're going to see a lot of different things growing on your rock. It's all normal.

 

[R.W.]

i was just wondering what it was?
some type of algae of some sort.??
not that im worried, im just curious hah

 

[Larah]

Diatoms Diatoms Diatoms... GRRRRRR....

 

[kingfisher62]

I agree with Larah, probably dissappear in a week or two.

 

[el Deutche]

As I was reading, it looks brown in the pictures, which made me think diatoms also. Do you use RO/DI water? I had this problem with diatoms when I first set up my tank, but after I bought a RO/DI it went away.

 

[kingfisher62]

I think it is part of the cycle ,RO/DI or not.
Eventually the higher evolved algaes will take over any nutrients.

I do agree still RO/DI is the best to use!

 

[R.W.]

so this diatoms is an algae?
is it a problem, because its now spread all over the place in a matter of hours.
i do not use ro/di water.
just city tap water treated with prime.

 

[el Deutche]

As the others stated it might just be part of your cycle. But still buy a RO/DI.

According to Julian Sprungs Book Algae a problem solver guide. Diatoms feed off of silicate (pg 14). Tap water contains a significant amount of nitrates, phospates, silicates (pg37).

A RO/DI will remove the above nutrients from the tap water. Which will help control algae.

Give it time, but buy the RO. Also I believe some conchs and snails will eat diatoms. Get the above book to, it is good reference material. Hope this helps.

 

[Larah]

Diatoms are NOT an algea... and an RO is great but it doesn't remove silicates......Try Phosban and definitley do use RO water. and yeah it's a fast moving little bugger! It doesnt' actually hurt anything, it just looks yucky...
Get s few snails and turn off the lights...
I still have 'em.... and it's been 6 weeks.........

 

[el Deutche]

I just read a little more in the book.

"Description: brown, yellow, or rust colored films... Diatoms often bloom in newly established aquariums and subside after a few months. Silicate supplied with top off water or newly mixed seawater can stimulate blooms." pg 64

 

[el Deutche]

I never said that is a algae, though it is sometimes refered to brown slime algae. Just like red slime algae is a bacteria. I was referencing a book to try and help.

 

[el Deutche]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11647589#post11647589 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by el Deutche

Give it time, but buy the RO. Also I believe some conchs and snails will eat diatoms. Get the above book to, it is good reference material. Hope this helps.

Sorry, should have put RO/DI.

http://www.aquariuminstruments.com/20questions.htm

9. I have never had trouble with diatoms until recently. In the past I only use distilled water. I now use the Spectrapure RO/DI unit. I have read that RO/DI will not effectively remove silicates. Is this correct and what if anything can be done. If this is true, is it not a little misleading to sell these products for this intended use, knowing that they cannot effectively remove silicates?


SpectraPure: If your SpectraPure RO/DI system is operating properly you will not see problems with diatoms due to silica. You must take care to change your DI cartridges before they become exhausted. When a DI cartridge becomes exhausted it can release silica back into the pure water stream and actually create high silica levels in your tank.