Need Help Quick!

[TheFlames]

My 14g biocube has only been running for 7 days now, but it seems that brown diatoms are starting to take over my tank. All chemical level are perfect, and i read that diatoms usually start appearing after the nitrogen cycle. Does that mean i can put some snails or something to get rid of them? it seems to early to put living creatures in there but what else can i do to get rid of them, or should i just put snails? thanks in advance!

[leebca]

Don't forget to check through this procedure too: Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

I assume you are not using live rock? If so, then now is a good time to start to add snails that in part, will reduce the diatom population (brown algae). Make sure you acquire snails from tropical waters (not from temperate waters). Those from temperate waters (like from Mexican waters or Florida waters) are not accustomed to high temperatures of tropical water. They usually only live a short time in the home tropical tank, then cause pollution as they decay.

[TheFlames]

i am using live rock as well as live sand, what type of snails or invertebrates should i get by your recommendation?

[leebca]

Live sand was a waste of money, I'm afraid. Fortunately, the system is small.

You're at step 9. in the link I provided above. Follow it from there.

Choose a cleanup crew when you're at that step according to what you like and what fits. For the brown algae, there are snails that do favor that. I don't do much recommending, since much of what you stock will be what you like -- it's personal. You'll want just snails and a mix of herbivores (most of them will be this) with a couple of carnivore snails. However I can give you some things to read so that you can make your own choices:

The Grazing Snails, Part I - Turbo, Trochus, Astraea, and Kin by Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com
The Grazing Snails, Part II - Abalones, Limpets and Nerites by Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com
The Grazing Snails, Part III: Conchs, Ceriths, Cowries, and Columbellids by Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com
Aquarium Frontiers Library
and
Clean Up Crews - Reef Hobbyist Online Magazine