diatom algae?

Question

ok just need ideas on getting rid of diatom brown algae. I have a 125 saltwater tank 40 ga fuge. levels are good nitrates are mildly detectable inbetween 0 and 5.0 ppm. I use RO/distilled water, carribean live sand, 136lbs. of live rock, 55 gal. canister filter, 40gal. hang on the back filter, live plants and protein skimmer. I also have been useing phosphate sponge in my canister filter and the diatom growth has improved but not completely gone. Its a relativly new setup only a few months old and i moved over a 55 gal. well established tank. I want to have perfect water quality so all my marine life will thrive in. All fish are healthy and happy some corals are kept and are doing great but the diatom drives me nuts any ideas?

Answer 1

It is driving you nuts because you think it isn't clean and healthy. The one thing failed to be mentioned here is you have not consided the fact your tank needs silica to be healthy. Your tanks silica reading should be 2 ppm (The ocean is between .06 and 7.6 in the reef areas)

You may want a CLEAN algae free tank but your tank will not survive long without it. Your ammonia should be .01-.05 Phosphates .003, Boron <10 Strontium 5-15. The Phytoplankton as well as many inverts and corals need the silica to survive and be healthy. It is one thing to have hair algae jumping out of the tank and grabbing you it is another to have a proper balance. Largely because creatures in our aquaria use it, the concentrations in many aquaria are below natural levels, and consequently the sponges, mollusks, and diatoms living in these aquaria may not be getting enough silica to thrive.

Many tanks are dosed with added silica for this reason. Once your tank is up and running (Matured) your algae will come into balance.

If you need more info feel free to email me. I will show you pictures of my reef tank.

Answer 2

Your tank is still cycling. Since you moved to a larger tank, you change the balance of the Eco system. I would also reduce the lighting(how long there are active) by at least two hours and until everything is back under control. As you know, too much lighting will just feed the algae as well as high levels of nitrate. Do another small water change. Also add some hermit crabs, Tubro/Astrea snails. These will eat a lot of diamtons and help out with your filtration system. I order my stuff from saltwaterfish.com. Anything over 79.99 gets free overnight shipping (overnight after processing the order). Check them out. Most other places on the net want atleast 150.00. These guys also have a fish guaruntee.

Answer 3

Try reducing the silicates in the tank water. The only real way to do this is removing the cource. Some sand releases lots of silicates such as sand from building supply outlets of for use and kids play sand. You indicae you used live sand so that shouldn't be the source. Some salt mixes are also high in silicates. Check yours and swap brands if need be. Some water sources are high in silicates. A call to your water department would tell you about yours. If it's high you will need to use R/O or distilled water to top off and to mix water changes at least for a while.

Nitrates are another thing to carefully control as is lighting. Both of those in excess will add to the bloom.

MM

Answer 4

Diatom algae feeds off of silicates. Diatoms are very common in new tanks because there are lots of silicates in tha water due to new glass. If your tank has been newly set up in the last 6 months, then do not worry, the diatoms will soon run out of silicates to feed on and will go away.

If your tank is not newly set up then refer to MM's answer.

Answer 5

Make sure you have enough of a clean up crew in there.

Answer 6

just be patient if it hasent already corrected its self it will!
d. blooms seem like they dissapear as fast as they come!