I have diatom bloom - nice

Ok, so I have had my tank cycle for more than a week with a cured live rock. At this point I haven't done any WC yet. My readings at the moment are: NH3 0 - N2 0 - NO3 0 - Phosphate 0 - Salinity 1.023 - PH 8.2

The coral sand (99.98% CaCO3) is starting to turn brownish. I suspect a diatom bloom. I know how they can benefit my tank, but I don't know how to reduce its level. Neither I am too fond of how unsightly my new tank will be

Should I do WC at this point assuming there won't be any major NH3/N2 spike? Should I add more snails, too? Should I wait longer...

or all of the above?

 

A diatom bloom is a normal part of a cycle and requires no intervention such as water changes. When the silicates that were provided by the new tank, new equipment..... are used up the diatoms will go away.

Unfortunately tanks go through a few unsightly stages initially. Odds are you will see some degree of cyanobacteria bloom next, some degree of green hair algae. It's all normal. If any of those stages last longer than say the first three months of the tanks life than become more aggressive. RO/DI water only, reduction in photoperiod, use of GFO, limit introduction of nutrients to tank.....

 

Yeah, I don't see the problem. Just add some snails if you don't like the look...

 

Tiger Conches are awesome! I suggest getting a couple. Or a diamond goby mannn are they heavy duty cleaners

 

What size is your tank? I wouldnt recommend a diamont goby unless its in a larger tank, not only are they heavy duty cleaners, they wont last long in a newly setup tank since the eat the micro fauna in the sandbed unless you have them trained on prepared foods.