Diatoms.....what happened?

Discussion in 'Algae' started by JohnnyBoy, Sep 17, 2008.

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  1. lunatik_69

    lunatik_69 Giant Squid

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    Sounds like your ending your cycle, but always test before you add anything.


    [qoute=lotzofish488401]I am still battling this crap (over a month later). Here is what I have observed. My tank seemed to be running without any diatoms for the first several (5) months. Then all of a sudden BLAMO!:eek: Thick Diatoms were all over the sand (during the day)... But every night around 10pm the diatoms thin down to a light dusting and disappear completely at night. Then in the morning, I have nice prisine white sand, only for the junk to return back to full power by the afternoon. I though that this may be residual light in the room from the sun, so I completely covered the aquarium in blankets to prevent any outside light from entering the tank, but it didn't help a bit. My last guess is my daily water changes.. I believe that the silicates in the salt mix are fueling these little buggers, and by 10pm or so they have exhausted their current supply, only for me to do a water change, and add new silicates into the tank. My plan now is to stop the daily water changes, and let the diatoms come.. and hopefully go. Anybody have any other thoughts?[/qoute]

    Sounds like you may need to change out some bulbs or test for No3 and Po4. Luna
     
    lunatik_69, Sep 17, 2008
    lunatik_69, Sep 17, 2008
    #11

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  2. lotzofish

    lotzofish Fire Worm

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    My nitrates are 5ppm and phosphates are 0ppm.. This is why I am so confused...:confused:
     
    lotzofish, Sep 17, 2008
    lotzofish, Sep 17, 2008
    #12
  3. lunatik_69

    lunatik_69 Giant Squid

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    What about your bulbs? How old are they? Luna
     
    lunatik_69, Sep 17, 2008
    lunatik_69, Sep 17, 2008
    #13
  4. PackLeader

    PackLeader Giant Squid

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    Also, have you tried taking the water to your LFS and having them test it? Its a good idea to have your test results verified from time to time, as its not that uncommon for test solution to go bad.
     
    PackLeader, Sep 17, 2008
    PackLeader, Sep 17, 2008
    #14
  5. lotzofish

    lotzofish Fire Worm

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    The bulbs are power compacts, and they are 6 months old.


    I have taken to the LFS to verify results, and both tests agree.. Thanks for the suggestion. :)
     
    lotzofish, Sep 17, 2008
    lotzofish, Sep 17, 2008
    #15
  6. ReefSparky

    ReefSparky Super Moderator

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    Given all the info you've supplied, it's not out of the realm of thought that your diatoms were at the end of their own life cycle, and were on their way out before you added the hermits and snails.
     
    ReefSparky, Sep 17, 2008
    ReefSparky, Sep 17, 2008
    #16

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  7. JohnnyBoy

    JohnnyBoy Purple Spiny Lobster

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    That's one of the things I was thinking but thought it was a heck of a coincidence and wanted to get some input first.
     
    JohnnyBoy, Sep 17, 2008
    JohnnyBoy, Sep 17, 2008
    #17
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