Diatom???

ncprowler

ncprowler

Member
Hey everyone i need a little help I just started my first SW fish tank a little over a week ago. I have been seeing brown spots all over my fish tank i know this is probably diatoms i was wondering is this normal to have within the first couple of weeks?
PH 8.3
ALK 190ppm
SG 1.024
temp 80
Amm was .50 lowered to .25
Trites .5
trates 0 haven't gotten that far yet
I was wodering does this seem about right?
Also what should i do about the diatoms? clean it? get a clean-up crew?
Oh let me list what i have
I have a 55 gallon tank
350 penguin bio filter
protein skimmer (it was a gift not sure what kind)
corallife light 2 10,000k 2 atinatic lights
5lbs of LR
10lbs of LS
I'm gettin more live rock very soon just have to get my money situation right
Thanks for all your help.
 
cymbal67

cymbal67

Member
depending on how much more rock you put in, and the condition of the rock, you may start the cycle over again.
 
scotts

scotts

Active Member
Yes Diatoms are a normal part of the cycling process. They are a small organism that will die off. The thing is when they die off they are still on your rock and substrate. Wait a couple of weeks and then wither fan them off with your hand or use a turkey baster to blow them off. To learn more use the search button at the top right of the screen and type in diatoms. This will lead you to threads that smarter people than me (or is it I?) have written and you will learn more.
 
michaeltx

michaeltx

Moderator
exactly what scotts said on the diatoms.
as far as the rock if it was fully cured and didnt have a long transit time then it wont cause a new cycle but the longer its out of the water the more apt something is going to die and could cause a mini spike.
Mike
 
ncprowler

ncprowler

Member
With my parameters is it ok to buy a clean up crew to help my algae problem or should i wait longer to get them?
Ph 8.4
SG 1.024
amm. between 0 and .25
alk 190ppm
nitrites 1
nitrates .25
 
michaeltx

michaeltx

Moderator
you are close to the end of your cycle with those numbers I would wait till its over before you add it ammonia can still kill a clean up crew.
Mike
 
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