Diatoms!!!

Discussion in 'Algae' started by CoralMonkey, Jul 3, 2012.

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  1. CoralMonkey

    CoralMonkey Plankton

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    Need help. 56g tank is ~8 months old with plenty of inverts (starfish, lobster, crabs, snails), pair of clowns, yellow tank, green mandarin, goby, chromis. Have noticed diatoms on the sand only when the lights are at their brightest and will subside when blue's and lunars come on. I do weekly 10% water changes with RO/DI water. Even running a canister filter with ChemiPure Elite and ClearMax. Nitrates and phosphates always test 0. pH @ 8. Salinity @ 1.025. Temp @ 78.

    Other equipment: 1 MP10, Reef Octopus HOB skimmer, AquaticLife (4) bulb 30" T5 light.

    Any advice is greatly appreciated.
     
    CoralMonkey, Jul 3, 2012
    CoralMonkey, Jul 3, 2012
    #1

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  2. Kevin_E

    Kevin_E Giant Squid

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    Are you positive it's diatom? Did you add anything to your system lately (something non living).
     
    Kevin_E, Jul 3, 2012
    Kevin_E, Jul 3, 2012
    #2
  3. CoralMonkey

    CoralMonkey Plankton

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    Can only assume. Doesn't appear to be cyano. No nonliving additions lately....
     
    CoralMonkey, Jul 3, 2012
    CoralMonkey, Jul 3, 2012
    #3
  4. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    If you can post an image of the algae that would be of great assist.
     
    Corailline, Jul 3, 2012
    Corailline, Jul 3, 2012
    #4
  5. Kevin_E

    Kevin_E Giant Squid

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    ^^^^^^^^^
     
    Kevin_E, Jul 3, 2012
    Kevin_E, Jul 3, 2012
    #5
  6. jesmontb

    jesmontb Flamingo Tongue

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    with just an mp10 on a 56g, im thinking cyano instead of diatoms...i myself have diatoms right now, but its not from lack of flow at all, its still a new tank, thinking you just recently have some extra nutrients for some reason and the lack of flow is showing up now on the sand bed with the presence of some cyano
     
    jesmontb, Jul 4, 2012
    jesmontb, Jul 4, 2012
    #6

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  7. CoralMonkey

    CoralMonkey Plankton

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    With this reply, I'm attempting to attach a couple of pics....
     

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    CoralMonkey, Jul 5, 2012
    CoralMonkey, Jul 5, 2012
    #7
  8. CoralMonkey

    CoralMonkey Plankton

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    jesmontb: I thought that too. I even moved the mp10 lower and closer to the trouble spots. All with no benefits...
     
    CoralMonkey, Jul 5, 2012
    CoralMonkey, Jul 5, 2012
    #8
  9. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    If you have added any new equipment to the tank it's probably diatoms.
    If not it's cyanobacteria as near as I can tell from the images.
    In an attempt to meet the Mandarins nutritional needs are you feeding the tank a lot?
    To combat the issue I would contact Reefcleaners.org to get some sand stirrers.
    Lastly is it time to change bulbs?
     
    Corailline, Jul 5, 2012
    Corailline, Jul 5, 2012
    #9
  10. CoralMonkey

    CoralMonkey Plankton

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    No new equipment and only feeding 1-2 times per day. The mandarin is finicky and won't eat frozen or pellet food (copepods only) so that limits the amount of food I put in. Good idea on reefcleaners. I recently purchased a ton of blue leg hermits, cerith snails and a large cucumber. And the light is brand new..... I'm at a loss....
     
    CoralMonkey, Jul 5, 2012
    CoralMonkey, Jul 5, 2012
    #10