Diatom bloom? Control?

Foos · 09-08-2001, 11:57 PM

Hi all. Long-time lurker, first time poster.

Recently set up my first (very small!) tank. I believe I am undergoing a diatom bloom (which I understand is normal during tank establishment).

How do I attempt to control the bloom?

Also, I think I might have Aiptasia... except they are tiny. Lots of 'em on one rock I have, but the largest appears to be about 5 mm tall. The "arms" are not nearly the same as in pictures I've seen. I'm planning on procuring a peppermint shrimp to eliminate the guys.

Anyway, the bloom? My tank is a 7gal AGA bowfront, 32W Custom Sea Life retrofit lights, Sanders Piccolo skimmer. The tank parameters as of today measured 83 deg F (this is the peak daily temp - normally around 80 or 81), 1.022 SG, 8.3 Ph, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 10 ppm.

Oh, the only other stuff in the tank are a few tiny blue-leg hermits.

Cheers,
Brian

Aragorn · 09-09-2001, 02:08 AM

Foos,

Welcome to Reefland! Anyway, try cutting down on the light cycle of your tank for awhile. That should help. Also, what typed of water are you using(distilled, purified, RO/DI, tap etc.)? Again...welcome

Foos · 09-09-2001, 11:53 AM

I'm using distilled. Which I've heard some people advise against, but never why. It seems it'd be pretty good, IMO. Is it high in silicates?

I should add - I established the tank on 8/28 using cured rock from a LFS.

I will reduce the amount of light the tank is getting.

Cheers,
Brian
PS - I bet you are even more stoked than I for that LOTR film this December.

**scubadude** · 09-09-2001, 12:09 PM

I agree w/ aragorn's statement, and will say that distilled water is better than tap water, However with such a small tank (and the tank is VERY YOUNG still) you are gonna have to follow everything by the book and take every precaution....I would try and get RO and/or DI water (both combined would be best) and do small (10%) w/c's every 3-4 days, but before you do the w/c's try to suck out the diatom's w/a turkey baster. Your tank even though you bought cured rock may still be going through a cycle....its too early to tell I would be very hesitant about putting any animals small or large in there for atleast another month. Would love to see some pics of this little jewel when you get it set the way you want

organicreefer · 09-09-2001, 12:21 PM

id throw some snails in there

jmo

Foos · 09-10-2001, 02:15 PM

I had one snail, but he croaked after a few days. Didn't look to be the victim of foul play... I'm intending on getting a few snails, maybe tonight. Plus, a turkey baster to attack the diatoms.

It appears now that there is a little bit of hair algae starting up. The rocks have a slightly green tint. I'd like to add something to help export nitrates... my skimmer has slowed down dramatically, but it still pulls some funky stuff from the water.

I cut my lighting down to about 2PM thru 11PM. It originally was from 3PM til 1AM. I may reduce it further.

I just got a digital camera, so I'll probably get a few photos up soon.

Cheers,
Brian

09-08-2001, 11:57 PM	#1
Foos New in Town Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4	Diatom bloom? Control? Hi all. Long-time lurker, first time poster. Recently set up my first (very small!) tank. I believe I am undergoing a diatom bloom (which I understand is normal during tank establishment). How do I attempt to control the bloom? Also, I think I might have Aiptasia... except they are tiny. Lots of 'em on one rock I have, but the largest appears to be about 5 mm tall. The "arms" are not nearly the same as in pictures I've seen. I'm planning on procuring a peppermint shrimp to eliminate the guys. Anyway, the bloom? My tank is a 7gal AGA bowfront, 32W Custom Sea Life retrofit lights, Sanders Piccolo skimmer. The tank parameters as of today measured 83 deg F (this is the peak daily temp - normally around 80 or 81), 1.022 SG, 8.3 Ph, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 10 ppm. Oh, the only other stuff in the tank are a few tiny blue-leg hermits. Cheers, Brian

09-09-2001, 02:08 AM	#2
Aragorn Governor Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pine Grove, CA USA Posts: 2,064	Foos, Welcome to Reefland! Anyway, try cutting down on the light cycle of your tank for awhile. That should help. Also, what typed of water are you using(distilled, purified, RO/DI, tap etc.)? Again...welcome __________________ "It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds."

09-09-2001, 12:09 PM	#4
scubadude Moderator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 5,315	Hi Foos! Welcome to RL! I agree w/ aragorn's statement, and will say that distilled water is better than tap water, However with such a small tank (and the tank is VERY YOUNG still) you are gonna have to follow everything by the book and take every precaution....I would try and get RO and/or DI water (both combined would be best) and do small (10%) w/c's every 3-4 days, but before you do the w/c's try to suck out the diatom's w/a turkey baster. Your tank even though you bought cured rock may still be going through a cycle....its too early to tell I would be very hesitant about putting any animals small or large in there for atleast another month. Would love to see some pics of this little jewel when you get it set the way you want __________________ Rocky

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09-09-2001, 11:53 AM	#3
Foos New in Town Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4	I'm using distilled. Which I've heard some people advise against, but never why. It seems it'd be pretty good, IMO. Is it high in silicates? I should add - I established the tank on 8/28 using cured rock from a LFS. I will reduce the amount of light the tank is getting. Cheers, Brian PS - I bet you are even more stoked than I for that LOTR film this December.

09-09-2001, 12:21 PM	#5
organicreefer Governor Join Date: May 2001 Location: Northern CA Posts: 2,171	id throw some snails in there jmo

09-10-2001, 02:15 PM	#6
Foos New in Town Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4	I had one snail, but he croaked after a few days. Didn't look to be the victim of foul play... I'm intending on getting a few snails, maybe tonight. Plus, a turkey baster to attack the diatoms. It appears now that there is a little bit of hair algae starting up. The rocks have a slightly green tint. I'd like to add something to help export nitrates... my skimmer has slowed down dramatically, but it still pulls some funky stuff from the water. I cut my lighting down to about 2PM thru 11PM. It originally was from 3PM til 1AM. I may reduce it further. I just got a digital camera, so I'll probably get a few photos up soon. Cheers, Brian

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