I Got Diatoms! My System Is 8 Months Old?

[steve861uk]

As above

The only things I've changed recently are that I've added a piece of caribsea life rock that used to be in my tank once a long time ago (i.e. 7 months) and also have added an upturned butter tub (to raise my skimmer in the sump).

The butter tub must surely be catering safe and so I assumed ok for salty use?

Is it more likely to be the rock? Had them about a week now and getting fed up, but hope they will clear when the source runs out

 

[jim_fitz]

is there any printing on the outside of the tub ?

 

[Jagger]

I

As above

The only things I've changed recently are that I've added a piece of caribsea life rock that used to be in my tank once a long time ago (i.e. 7 months) and also have added an upturned butter tub (to raise my skimmer in the sump).

The butter tub must surely be catering safe and so I assumed ok for salty use?

Is it more likely to be the rock? Had them about a week now and getting fed up, but hope they will clear when the source runs out

Is it brown or red?

__________________
Hindsight is 20/20.

Current Tank Info: 300 gal, 125 gal, 125 sump

 

[Afonso]

Am pretty sure this is normal to happen every time you had a new rock to a working set up but am sure a pic would help others to a positive id bud


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[steve861uk]

I


Is it brown or red?

__________________
Hindsight is 20/20.

Current Tank Info: 300 gal, 125 gal, 125 sump

Brown and very diatom looking, not CYANO

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

[steve861uk]

is there any printing on the outside of the tub ?

Yes, but is part and parcel of the tub, i.e. it is coloured plastic

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

[steve861uk]

Am pretty sure this is normal to happen every time you had a new rock to a working set up but am sure a pic would help others to a positive id bud


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've zapped it tonight with my Turkey baster, but no doubt will soon be back. Me thinks I need a few more Trochus snails

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

[Jagger]

Yes defo diatoms!

diatoms are an indicator of high Nitrates and Phosphates. I had it in my Aqua one few months ago as I was feeding very heavy so firstly I would change all the filter media and try and blast the Rocks off with a turkey baster and then do a good water change with zero TDS salt water and if you don't have good circulation in your tank I would add more as its important so that there are no dead spots in the tank.

 

[steve861uk]

No3 is 0.25 and Po4 is 0.02

I have a gyre and nothing on my rocks, is just on my gravel where my bulldozer (tiger pistol shrimp) has not yet been. If it's the new rock then it should soon die off (so I believe), else if it is the butter tub, then it probably won't stop. So my plan is to give it a week, if still present then the tub is coming out (may come out before then anyway....just in case)

 

[Mike and Clare]

Why not replace the butter tub with a small box made of egg crate. You eliminate the possible issue and water will flow through the crate.
Just a thought.
Mike

 

[Jagger]

I agree with Mike about the erg crate also your nutrients are showing low that's because the algae is using them and for that it's showing low reading on your test kits.

I am not saying it's nutrients,but it could be the tub also nine times out of ten it's high nutrients.

 

[steve861uk]

I agree with Mike about the erg crate also your nutrients are showing low that's because the algae is using them and for that it's showing low reading on your test kits.

I am not saying it's nutrients,but it could be the tub also nine times out of ten it's high nutrients.

I believe it to be silicates either in the rock or the tub (worst case scenario is they are both coming out....although I like my rock ).

 

[steve861uk]

Why not replace the butter tub with a small box made of egg crate. You eliminate the possible issue and water will flow through the crate.
Just a thought.
Mike

I like this idea very much and as an engineer love constructing things so the decision is made. I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not sure

 

[shady]

Was the butter low fat ??

 

[steve861uk]

Was the butter low fat ??

Yes plus low in saturates but high in silicates (the darn tub)

 

[Mike and Clare]

Is seem to recall external links are a no no on here, so.
YouTube
Search BRStv
Week 48: solving your reef tanks algae problems forever.

These guys always give a good balanced view with explanations.

If you can stop thinking "game over dude" all the time! People of a certain age will understand
Mike

 

[steve861uk]

Is seem to recall external links are a no no on here, so.
YouTube
Search BRStv
Week 48: solving your reef tanks algae problems forever.

These guys always give a good balanced view with explanations.

If you can stop thinking "game over dude" all the time! People of a certain age will understand
Mike

Oh no.....I may be banished and thank you for the link (search tip)

Re:
If you can stop thinking "game over dude" all the time! People of a certain age will understand
Mike

I don't understand? I've never thought "game over dude"......which I why I've asked for advice, listen and then act. A lot of people, sadly in this hobby, have problems and then sell up and move on......me, I face problems, find a solution and then overcome it.

As for a certain age....I'm 51 years young (does that count ).

 

[Mike and Clare]

Oh no.....I may be banished and thank you for the link (search tip)

Re:
If you can stop thinking "game over dude" all the time! People of a certain age will understand
Mike

I don't understand? I've never thought "game over dude"......which I why I've asked for advice, listen and then act. A lot of people, sadly in this hobby, have problems and then sell up and move on......me, I face problems, find a solution and then overcome it.

As for a certain age....I'm 51 years young (does that count ).

Alien, the movie or Test drive, the game.
Both 80's era. Maybe you didn't waste your time on movies and games like me
It's a channel worth subscribing to, the Americans have a more direct approach than us Brits when dealing with stuff like this. I cringe when they spay hydrogen peroxide on rocks or empty the tank and pour water straight in the display tank.
But it seems to work for them.
Bit like the drip method of introducing fish/corals. Waste of time and dangerous in my opinion. Loads will disagree. But unless we look at all options, you can overlook the obvious mistakes we all make.
Mike

 

[steve861uk]

Alien, the movie or Test drive, the game.
Both 80's era. Maybe you didn't waste your time on movies and games like me
It's a channel worth subscribing to, the Americans have a more direct approach than us Brits when dealing with stuff like this. I cringe when they spay hydrogen peroxide on rocks or empty the tank and pour water straight in the display tank.
But it seems to work for them.
Bit like the drip method of introducing fish/corals. Waste of time and dangerous in my opinion. Loads will disagree. But unless we look at all options, you can overlook the obvious mistakes we all make.
Mike

Movies - Yes, Games - No.

I like options and am always open to anything new (and exciting preferably ).

 

[Mike and Clare]

Daft thing is, I have the reverse problem. I've run out of algae!!! My little Royal Urchin (Hugo) is eating all my coralline algae now and that's nearly all gone.
I've got some seaweed on its way to keep him going. But I've ordered some cheap led strip grow lights for my sump to get it growing again.
My cheato definitely does its job very well. But I'm going to have to modify my sump to encourage normal algae growth so I can harvest it.
You never win at this game!
Mike