Diatoms

[mightytexn]

I have a pretty severe diatom problem in my 29 gal FOWLR tank. The tank is about 9 months old and the last couple of months the diatoms have been getting worse. I was wondering what solutions anyone had. I read somewhere that old bulbs can cause diatoms to thrive, but don't see why, and don't feel like changing the bulbs in my lights if i don't have to. TIA for any help.
Jordan

 

[ilovemytank]

Whats your clean up crew ? Water parameters ? how many fish ? what type of filter system ? maintenace program ? The more you can provide the more help we can give.

 

[mightytexn]

CUC is lots (50+) of Nassarius snails a Turbo snail and a handfull of hermits
Nitrates between 5 and 10
Nitrites 0
Ammonia 0
pH 8.4
One Clown and one Blue Devil Damsel
I have a Berlin Airlift skimmer that works fine with the small bioload and about 35 lbs of LR and 15 lbs of LS for filtration
5 gallon water changes every 1-2 weeks

 

[mtbenino]

Do you use RO water or tap, I use to use tap water and would have a bunch od diatoms, now that i use RO I have seen a big difference in my water such as clarity and almost no algae growth, that many snails is adding to your bioload as well.

 

[mightytexn]

I use RO water

 

[subielover]

How old are your bulbs? Fighting conch and cerith snails should eat the diatoms.

 

[copperhead3690]

i can't even begin to describe to you how well my fighting conch has eaten the diatoms in my tank. they are incredible algae eaters

 

[mightytexn]

the bulbs are 9 montnh old PC's....I guess I'll look for a fighting conch at the LFS

 

[meowzer]

Can conch's go with everything?

 

[srfisher17]

Silicates, easy to test for and removed by the same stuff that removes phosphates, are often the main culprit with diatom problems. Diatoms aren't an algae and a normal part of establishing a new tank. If this is a new tank, they should dissappear shortly.

 

[mightytexn]

The tank is 9 months old.....it had the diatom bloom early, stayed clear for about 6 months, and has bloomed again.... What the best product to remove phosphates and silicates?

 

[naclfish]

where do u get ure ro? at a store machine or do u have a ro? if its ure own have u changed the membrane or cleaned it. if at a store check the tds of if. when ro are not givin the proper maint. they can give out awful water the membrane will act like a sink once its absorbed it max it will then start to lleach it out along with not cleaning the new water

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by mightytexn
http:///forum/post/2927065
The tank is 9 months old.....it had the diatom bloom early, stayed clear for about 6 months, and has bloomed again.... What the best product to remove phosphates and silicates?
1.) Any of the ferric oxide products, like Phos-Ban. They work quickly, but also are exhausted fairly fast.
or
2.)SeaChem's Phosguard--lasts longer, but doesnt work as fast.