so i just experienced what ive come to find out is a diatom bloom yes my first of what i hear of many algae blooms its taken 6 weeks to get to this point and ive all ready added one fish a blue damsel i have a 29 gal tank power head im looking for some advice on a protein skimmer that will help me out have a lil NO2 now that these diatoms appeared will the protein skimmer help with this and what can i do besides wait to help this process along thanks for the help in advance
diatom bloom
- Thread starter mercury57106
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On this website, AquaC's appear to be the #1 protein skimmer recommended. My LFS swears by Terminators & Typhoon protein skimmers. General consensus is to avoid Seaclones at all cost.
What color at your diatoms? I had reddish/brown diatoms as a result of silica, my LFS gave me a bag to put in my canister filter and I did a 5gal water change to RO/DI water, the following day the growth had stopped and within 48 hours the diatoms were no longer visible.
What color at your diatoms? I had reddish/brown diatoms as a result of silica, my LFS gave me a bag to put in my canister filter and I did a 5gal water change to RO/DI water, the following day the growth had stopped and within 48 hours the diatoms were no longer visible.
It's common in new tanks. I think one of the causes is too much silica in the tank. Over time and as the tank becomes more established these are reduced through water changes.
Protein skimmer will help reduce dissolved organic compounds in the water. That stuff is what goes through cycle and contribute to the nutrients build up in all our tanks.
Read more here: Skimming Basics 101: Understanding Your Skimmer by Frank Marini, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com
To learn more about annoyances like diatoms visit :Chuck's Addiction
Go to Hitchhikers on left column then to algaes.
For your specific tank the things we can do to prevent algae problems are simple:
1. Keep feeding light. You shouldnt see it floating around in that tank 5 min later ...put enough in to be eaten ..excess is adding to DOC
2. Purchase a clean up crew. Turbo snails, nesarious snails if sand bed, Astrae snails and blue/red leg hermits. for example
3. Good tank maintenance: 10% weekly water changes , using RO water for top off vs Tap (some tap is ok but test it with your kit but i stay clear of it)
Now algae gets out of control when there is enough to eat. They feed on Nitrates but they get a huge boost in growth from Phosphate.
To remove phosphate thats been soaked into a tank system I would recommend using RoPhos or Phosban in a Phosban Reactor. Just good thing to have to keep algae in check.
So ask yourself since this tanks been up what habits you have with your tank could have caused this outbreak?
1. have you over fed? Used frozen foods without rinsing off the icy coated layer(it has lots of phosphate).
2. Did you use tap water for top off or even mixing your salt water?
3. Do you leave your lights on over 8 hours?
4. Your water change schedule isn't consistent and sometimes skip a week and dont accomidate that skip with a larger water change?
Just examples of questions you have to run by yourself and adjust ...
Why I am against tap water are many reasons but I use this article to express how its a gamble on what comes out of the tap. May be good one day...and the next horrible.
here is the article: The Problems With Using Tap Water in Saltwater Aquarium Systems - About Guides to Saltwater Aquariums
Good luck:
Clean what you can get started on isolating where you may have an issue and work on it. all will be fine.
PS: Skimmers you asked.
Aqua C
CPR Bak Paks
Octopus
These 3 brands are good. I wont argue whats best...I just know for sure they are good brands.