Diatoms

I re-cycled (had a leak in the tank that needed to be sealed) my tank nearly a year ago, but I kept my lights off for much of the time between then and now (financial issues kept me out of the hobby). I turned the lights back on about a month ago and I have since had a film of diatoms on everything. There is clearly some residual silicon in the system that is causing the diatoms to thrive. I know that in time, the diatoms will exhaust the silicon supply and essentially become non-existent.

My questions is this: Is there anything I can do to expedite the exhaustion of silicon (water changes, basting the current diatoms to allow for more surface area of growth etc.)?

I have a lot of patience (unlike my first setup) and I am in no rush to add anything to the system until the water is pristine (currently lowering nitrates with the addition of a caulerpa refugium). So if there is no way to expedite the diatom issue, then there is no problem.

Thanks.

 

I know of no way to expedite the diatom phase. It really should not last longer than 2 months.

Oh and I looked on my bag of IO and it does not list the trace elements so the link I posted earlier is as close as I can get to contents of the mix.

 

I beat my diatom by doing small water changes vacuuming it out every couple days

 

Good deal. I took a look at it and I appreciate it. After a little more research, I did get my answer. Salt mixes can carry higher levels of silicon. I don't think that's the source, but if this persists for more than another 3-4 weeks, it might be something I investigate further.

 

I'll give this strategy a shot. I read that the film I am seeing are actually the dead exoskeleton of the diatoms. It would stand to reason that vacuuming would alleviate the visual issue.

 

+1 on water changes and gravel vacuuming. Do you use RO/DI water and a good quality salt with no slicates like Tropic Marin or similar?

 

You may also look into Dr. Tim's Re-Fresh. His product can provide some aid in the process.

 

I use Instant ocean sea salt and distilled water.

 

Appearance doesn't really bother me, at least not at this stage in my tanks life cycle. Im looking to fix the issue rather than mask the issue. I believe they will disappear shortly. I never gave the diatoms a chance to consume the silicon after it cycle last spring because I kept the lights off.

I am mainly looking for a way to increase consumption of silicon by the diatoms, butI realize there may not be one.

Thanks though.

 

I wouldn't exert a bunch of energy on it if you're not in a hurry, just my opinion. Sometimes "fixing" things can exacerbate that issue or cause another.