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ZACH
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Topic: Diatom Outburst Posted: December 23 2010 at 6:07pm |
After doing some research, I think I am having a Diatom outbreak. My tank has been running for about 2 months and I have started to notice this rust colored stuff all over the rocks and sand. It isn't horribly bad but it sure is ugly. What should I do? Thanks Zach
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Luckedout
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Posted: December 23 2010 at 6:20pm |
Yep. Sounds about right. It's pretty normal and will go away with time. New tanks go through this. First everything will be brown.... then you'll have everything turn green and then everything will turn pink and purple.
It's pretty normal and you really should just keep an eye on it and your keep your water parameters in check and it'll run it's course soon.
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-Ben
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www.body-balancechiropractic.com
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: December 24 2010 at 12:57am |
The very best research is done just like this, simply asking the question right here. I would not call Diatoms "rust colored". I consider it a golden brown color. Rust color would indicate a combination of Cyano and diatoms or dinoflagellates. Can we see a pic please A full tank pic and also a close up of the algae if possible, even if the pics are from a cell phone, that's okay. We can identify the algae and probably make some suggestions to help you avoid/cope with other problems. Is this the first [possible] algae problem that has come to this tank How many and what type of snails are in this tank How was the biofiltration started; with LS, LR, LW and Macroalgae
Edited by Mark Peterson - December 24 2010 at 1:04am
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ZACH
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Posted: December 26 2010 at 2:05pm |
This isn't my tank but it looks a lot like this: < ="utf-8">
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ZACH
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Posted: December 26 2010 at 2:08pm |
It also looks like this. < ="utf-8"> When I turn the lights on in the morning, there is not
a lot of this but by the time it is time to turn them off, all of the sand and rocks are covered in it.
This happens and gets worse every day. Also as for the snails and crabs, I have 3 hermits,6
Nassarius snails, and 1 turbo snail. I started with live rock from Fish 4 U and a couple pieces from
other places.
Thanks,
Zach
Edited by ZACH - December 26 2010 at 2:13pm
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bfessler
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Posted: December 26 2010 at 2:25pm |
It sounds like normal cycling of the tank to me. I would beef up the CUC with at least another dozen astrea snails.
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Burt An equal opportunity reefer, I support all hobbyists and organizations involved in Marine Aquarium Keeping. [email protected]
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ZACH
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Posted: December 26 2010 at 4:00pm |
but should the algae cover the whole tank? If so, how long will it last? Zach
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ksmart
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Posted: December 26 2010 at 5:58pm |
From my experience it will cover a lot of the tank and will last a few weeks.
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ZACH
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Posted: December 26 2010 at 6:55pm |
Ok good Thanks you guys so much, you always know what to do. Zach
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: December 26 2010 at 8:24pm |
Yes it is normal but it does not have to last more than a few days to a week. That's why I wrote the thread below in my signature line. It's about using living organisms available through other hobbyists to get a tank going sooner with less problem algae and less trouble.
If you would like to get some Chaetomorpha Macroalgae free from someone here on this MB (I have some) and turn on the lights longer, the Chaeto will eat up the pollution that normally happens when starting up a new tank. It works great. I do it this way all the time. In fact, I have done this twice in the last month.
Something is messed up on my screen in the text you wrote below that 2nd pic. Does it say that there is only one snail currently? Like Burt said, more snails are always needed at first. I would add at least a dozen now, and more later if needed. There are three types of snails that work well. Astrea, Margarita and Cerith. I use a variety of all three. If this is not dealt with now, in another two months the tank could have a much worse algae problem than the simple covering of diatoms it has now. Please read the thread found below when you click on Reefkeeping Tips.
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ZACH
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Posted: December 26 2010 at 10:23pm |
I have about 6 snails but i will get more Thanks for all your help. Zach
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