Diatoms

alphabeatsco · 08-13-2012, 12:35 AM

I've been running my tank for close to 9 months now.
everything is fine.
dosing ada fertilizers according to their instructions...

I change 50% water every week religiously. Is there any reason why I would start to grow diatoms close to end of week?

Once I scrub the tank and change water on Sunday, it'll be fine until around Thursday, then diatoms start to grow on the side of glass.

any suggestions???? i've tried to shorter the length of light & reduce fertilizers, still same.

Seattle_Aquarist · 08-13-2012, 12:54 AM

Hi alphabeatsco,

Otocinclus, they eat it like it is candy. I usually use one per 20 gallons and in a week or two the diatoms are gone. Otocinclus are also good at eating soft, flat, green algae types.

alphabeatsco · 08-13-2012, 01:09 AM

yes i have them in my other tanks, they are doing a great job.
but I also have a shrimp tank, which doesnot have them.

is there any way to prevent it ?

Seattle_Aquarist · 08-13-2012, 01:13 AM

Hi alphabeatsco,

Sorry, scrubbing and Otocinclus are the only two methods I am aware of.

alphabeatsco · 08-13-2012, 01:17 AM

thats what i've been doing.
but I am not sure what causes diatoms in the first place.

**fplata** · 08-13-2012, 01:22 AM

What filtration media do you use?

alphabeatsco · 08-13-2012, 01:26 AM

aquaclear
sponge
carbon filter
noodles

**fplata** · 08-13-2012, 01:32 AM

How old is your carbon? I know some folks will not agree with me here, but carbon seems to help me here

HD Blazingwolf · 08-13-2012, 01:50 AM

diatoms don't like intense light.

but an efficient bio filtration system usually prevents diatoms

okapizebra · 08-13-2012, 02:20 AM

Diatoms are usually in a tank until they have eaten all the excess silicates in the tank.

**Complexity** · 08-13-2012, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okapizebra

Diatoms are usually in a tank until they have eaten all the excess silicates in the tank.

Exactly. If you keep getting diatoms, then something is supplying that tank with silica.

Here's an interesting article about diatoms. It's written for saltwater tanks, but the basic concepts apply to freshwater. http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...ad.php?t=60144

alphabeatsco · 08-13-2012, 07:00 AM

what exactly is silicates?

**Complexity** · 08-13-2012, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphabeatsco

what exactly is silicates?

http://www.google.com/search?source=...ac.yeApsyzuMWk

08-13-2012, 12:35 AM	#1
alphabeatsco Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: australia Posts: 112	Diatoms I've been running my tank for close to 9 months now. everything is fine. dosing ada fertilizers according to their instructions... I change 50% water every week religiously. Is there any reason why I would start to grow diatoms close to end of week? Once I scrub the tank and change water on Sunday, it'll be fine until around Thursday, then diatoms start to grow on the side of glass. any suggestions???? i've tried to shorter the length of light & reduce fertilizers, still same.

08-13-2012, 12:54 AM	#2
Seattle_Aquarist Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (25/100%) Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,027	Hi alphabeatsco, Otocinclus, they eat it like it is candy. I usually use one per 20 gallons and in a week or two the diatoms are gone. Otocinclus are also good at eating soft, flat, green algae types. __________________ *Roy* 45 Gallon Tall; 96 Watt AH Supply CF; 6700K; & 30 Gallon Long; 2X36 Watt AH Supply CF; Press. CO2; UGF; Heat Treated Montmorillonite Clay Greater Seattle Aquarium Society (GSAS)

08-13-2012, 01:13 AM	#4
Seattle_Aquarist Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (25/100%) Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,027	Hi alphabeatsco, Sorry, scrubbing and Otocinclus are the only two methods I am aware of. __________________ *Roy* 45 Gallon Tall; 96 Watt AH Supply CF; 6700K; & 30 Gallon Long; 2X36 Watt AH Supply CF; Press. CO2; UGF; Heat Treated Montmorillonite Clay Greater Seattle Aquarium Society (GSAS)

08-13-2012, 01:22 AM	#6
fplata Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (16/100%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: Miami, FL, United States Posts: 853	What filtration media do you use? __________________ My ADA 120-H My high tech 300 gallon pond

08-13-2012, 01:32 AM	#8
fplata Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (16/100%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: Miami, FL, United States Posts: 853	How old is your carbon? I know some folks will not agree with me here, but carbon seems to help me here __________________ My ADA 120-H My high tech 300 gallon pond

08-13-2012, 01:09 AM	#3
alphabeatsco Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: australia Posts: 112	yes i have them in my other tanks, they are doing a great job. but I also have a shrimp tank, which doesnot have them. is there any way to prevent it ?

08-13-2012, 01:17 AM	#5
alphabeatsco Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: australia Posts: 112	thats what i've been doing. but I am not sure what causes diatoms in the first place.

08-13-2012, 01:26 AM	#7
alphabeatsco Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: australia Posts: 112	aquaclear sponge carbon filter noodles

08-13-2012, 01:50 AM	#9
HD Blazingwolf Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (8/100%) Join Date: May 2011 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 4,747	diatoms don't like intense light. but an efficient bio filtration system usually prevents diatoms __________________ Sump Pimp #7 75G Rainbowfish Journal

08-13-2012, 02:20 AM	#10
okapizebra Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 107	Diatoms are usually in a tank until they have eaten all the excess silicates in the tank.

08-13-2012, 07:00 AM	#12
alphabeatsco Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: australia Posts: 112	what exactly is silicates?

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