BROWN Algae
- Thread starter gforce30
- Start date
small triggers
Active Member
whats your flow like? sometimes you just need to increase your water movement.
sepulatian
Moderator
As mentioned, vacuum the diatoms off of the sand, but do it LIGHTLY. Don't dig in, just skim the surface. Diatoms get worse before they get better. They can last six months or more if you are using tap water. As long as there are phosphates, silicates, and nitrates they will keep feeding. They can be awful to look at. I don't know what kind of water you use, but the presence of phosphates and silicates will make the diatom bloom last longer. They will feed on what they can until it is dwindled. So, if you are using tap then do some water changes with RO mixed with salt rather than the tap. It will dilute the impurities. If you are already using RO then the bloom will be over soon. Diatoms will happen no matter what water you use. How long they last depends on what is used in the tank. They do subside though, I promise 
srfisher17
Active Member
Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/2871679
As mentioned, vacuum the diatoms off of the sand, but do it LIGHTLY. Don't dig in, just skim the surface. Diatoms get worse before they get better. They can last six months or more if you are using tap water. As long as there are phosphates, silicates, and nitrates they will keep feeding. They can be awful to look at. I don't know what kind of water you use, but the presence of phosphates and silicates will make the diatom bloom last longer. They will feed on what they can until it is dwindled. So, if you are using tap then do some water changes with RO mixed with salt rather than the tap. It will dilute the impurities. If you are already using RO then the bloom will be over soon. Diatoms will happen no matter what water you use. How long they last depends on what is used in the tank. They do subside though, I promise
Yeah, phosphates and silicates are very easy to test for (test your source water as well). If you find they are a problem, they are both easily removed with any of the ferric hydroxide products; although I really like SeaChem Phosguard.
http:///forum/post/2871679
As mentioned, vacuum the diatoms off of the sand, but do it LIGHTLY. Don't dig in, just skim the surface. Diatoms get worse before they get better. They can last six months or more if you are using tap water. As long as there are phosphates, silicates, and nitrates they will keep feeding. They can be awful to look at. I don't know what kind of water you use, but the presence of phosphates and silicates will make the diatom bloom last longer. They will feed on what they can until it is dwindled. So, if you are using tap then do some water changes with RO mixed with salt rather than the tap. It will dilute the impurities. If you are already using RO then the bloom will be over soon. Diatoms will happen no matter what water you use. How long they last depends on what is used in the tank. They do subside though, I promise
Yeah, phosphates and silicates are very easy to test for (test your source water as well). If you find they are a problem, they are both easily removed with any of the ferric hydroxide products; although I really like SeaChem Phosguard.