lights and diatom

ok, so to deal with my ignorance here on dsb. I see this stuff and I do either 1 of 2 things:
1) stir it ( I have just read that this is not good )
2) try to vac it up when doing water changes, only thing is that I insert the python tube into the sand and lift to let the heavier sand particles to drop back to the sand.
I am assuming these are both bad. I just got off the phone to have another water quality test report sent to me, should be here monday. If my memory is correct it was near 0.
I have 2 rio 2100 power heads and a korlia 4 inside the tank for additional circulation along with my mag 24 for return from my sump. The small problem with the rios is that the stream is so directional that I have to run it thru the rocks or they will blow the sand around. I have thought about taking a pvc tube and drill holes in it with a plugged end cap to run along the ends of the tank for better circulation, I am not sure about the size holes and how many. I don't want to restrict or lessen the flow.
 
Actually, making a spraybar like you are mentioning will reduce flow and overall circulation. I would avoid spraybars for that very reason. Stick with the high volume pumps. I suppose you are referring to Rio's Seio pumps, correct? If not, try one of the higher volume, lower velocity powerheads, like from Hydor (Koralia), Seio, Tunze, and maxijet mods.

Edit: NM. I didn't read the full post, apparently. Anyway, I suggest replacing the Rio 2100 with another high volume powerhead. You should have less problems with the sand with that.
 
please excuse me if this is a dumb question.
the rio 2100 is supposed to be high output ( as told by the lfs ) how does a powerhead have high volume and lower velocity. I had thought of high output as water turbulence which would be movement. how does a different power head with high flow have less velocity, :confused:
 
Ok, take a comparison of two powerheads--a Tunze stream and a maxijet. The Tunze, when measured, has a much lower outlet velocity compared to the maxijet. However, the Tunze also emits a much larger volume of water--in other words, even though it isn't shooting water molecules as "fast" as the maxijet, it is pushing many more water molecules. Hope that makes sense.
 
I think I got it, I have not really looked at the size difference of the output nozzle but could it also be compared to a garden hose, if you apply your thumb to the end to get a spray the volume of water is the same as without the thumb but has a more powerful stream? never really thought of it that way. hey thanks for the help.
 
So Amp...you are suggesting that like the treatment for cyano, increase the flow to deter the diatom bloom? MY phosphates are 0 and my nitrates are at about 20ppm and I am working to get them down lower (were as high as 40). I have good flow in my tank as it is-----what else could it be?
 
Almondsaz said:
So Amp...you are suggesting that like the treatment for cyano, increase the flow to deter the diatom bloom? MY phosphates are 0 and my nitrates are at about 20ppm and I am working to get them down lower (were as high as 40). I have good flow in my tank as it is-----what else could it be?
Click to expand...

Not necessarily for that, just flow in general. I don't really recall what got me on the subject... In any case, the prevention of settled detritus will make a difference with most algae on the sandbed. Do you have a refugium? Are you using any sort of phosphate removers, etc.? Other than that, there isn't much beyond more complicated and/or expensive options (ie nitrate reactors and reductors). Then there always the organic carbon driven bacterial systems (zeo, prodibio, vodka, vinegar and sugar addition), though I don't particularly like these. As far as to why, there are too many factors that could be considered. It boils down to individual tank dynamics.
 
Could it be the performance (or lack of) of the skimmer leading to the diatoms? One other item, is it possible that the use of the bio-wheel in a HOB filter is a contributor as well?
 
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