Brown Diatoms Beware!

[Razzo]

Brown algae, diatoms, microalgae, whatever you call it - I hate the stuff :mad2:

I have done considerable reading trying to understand this enemy. Please don't accuse me of poor tank maintenance (my Nitrates are less than 0.5 ppm). The last two weeks I have decided not to clean my brown diatoms and have actually tried to encourage thier growth :screwy: I have left the tank lights on extra long and I have left the window shades open to allow as much light in as possible to grow this stuff. Why?.... food for my new zebra nerite snails that I ordered from msjinkzd.

Zebra nerites are not from Tanganika but they are from Africa. So, below are some distusting pictures of my 55 gallon Rift Lake Tank (kinda a before picture)....

 

[Razzo]

Here's my crew that I got in the mail today. Just put them in about an hour ago. They seem Ok (a couple are a little sluggish).
They are already going to town on my diatoms opcorn:

 

[jpappy789]

I've always wanted to try nerites with tangs...but I was worried since my multis and julies wouldn't even tolerate pond snails...:laugh:

 

[Razzo]

Whelp, after about an hour, they have cleaned off nearly half of the rock that I placed them on.

Eat away my little Zebra friends

 

[Razzo]

Just to help the mods keep this post in the Rift Lake Board (where all my buddies are), here is a picture of the daddy to my calvus fry. He is the dark male in the top of the photo.... almost Inkfin dark, aye?

 

[msjinkzd]

glad they are doing their duty! They do well with most tangs, its handy as their bioload is low compared to getting a pleco for the "job"

 

[Razzo]

glad they are doing their duty! They do well with most tangs, its handy as their bioload is low compared to getting a pleco for the "job"

Rachel, thanks for all of your help!

Based on what I know of altolamp behavior, I doubt I will have any trouble.

I think the snails are cool and I am enjoying a totally new aspect of our hobby

 

[msjinkzd]

then I have done my job, LOL

 

[msjinkzd]

btw, those are some sexy fish

 

[excuzzzeme]

A couple of things to also try is if you use carbon, remove it.
for some people like myself, carbon enhances the the ability of the diatoms to increase by removing other impurities that might otherwise aid to keep it in check.

The second thing to try is a phos remover pad in your filter system.

Personally, I like the natural method (snails) the best.