Diatom Issues

[Reefster]

You guys have helped me in the past, so I'm hoping you can help me with my remaining issue. A while ago, I got rid of pretty much all of my algae issues. I still get occasional cyano blooms, but it's not too bad. My current issue is diatoms. I always have a golden brown layer of them on my sand. I change my water once per week (~25%). Within 1 or 2 days, it just comes back. The details and parameters are below. I have searched the internet, but none of the common causes seem to apply to my tank. The only thing I can think of is light because my tank is in a fairly well lighted room. I'm not sure what I can do about that. Photos are below.

24g nano tank
Frequent water changes
RO/DI water
Feed 2 clown fish about 6 small pebbles each/day
Clean tubing and filters every week or two

Parameters:
pH ~8
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
Alk ~300
Phosphates - Didn't measure, but I run a phosban reactor
Charcoal bag

I have a protein skimmer, but don't use it because it constantly gets filled with diatoms and it is hard to use with frequent evaporation given that it is an in tank skimmer.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Mr. Plant]

You need a better Protein Skimmer 1st of all.

 

[Pancho]

how old is your tank set up>I have learned that sand beds that thick could be problematic when they get old.

 

[wickedfish]

That stuff shows when flow is too slow IME. But..... Could also be your bulbs. If you are worried about the sand being an issue get some conchs to stir that sand up good. Bought some the other day and they stay under eating all the gunk, or there dead. Jk I see them from time to time. Just don't get the conchs that murder snails.

 

[Reefster]

how old is your tank set up>I have learned that sand beds that thick could be problematic when they get old.

Thanks. The tank is about 3 years old. I didn't realize that it's overly thick. When I siphon the water, I try to stir it up. I read somewhere that there are sands with less silica in it. I could try taking some sand out to see if that helps.

That stuff shows when flow is too slow IME. But..... Could also be your bulbs. If you are worried about the sand being an issue get some conchs to stir that sand up good. Bought some the other day and they stay under eating all the gunk, or there dead. Jk I see them from time to time. Just don't get the conchs that murder snails.

My bulb is pretty new (~3m old). It is a phoenix 14k. I might try your conch idea. The weird thing is that for some reason when I get snails, they die after about a month.

I appreciate everyone's help b/c besides this I think my tank is doing pretty well (for a total amateur).

 

[craftyfish]

Try feeding less amount of food, less frequently. It will take time to remove the nutrient from water column, and increase flow.

If your zoa/filter feeders are doing well, you probably have dirty water.

 

[MikeGilliland]

I wouldn't disturb your sand bed. I love my fighting conch snail. I only have one in my 60 gal. Along with a sand sifting starfish, and a couple nerite snails and they keep my sand nice n white. I would try that before you kick up bad thing that are in your sand.

 

[MikeGilliland]

Oh and if you have hermits they might be the reason your snails are dying...

 

[wickedfish]

Agree with Mike, something is eating your snails.


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[Reefster]

Thanks to everyone for the help. I'll try these suggestions. I'm surprised that something would be eating the snails. They seem like they just slowly become inactive and die. I thought maybe they were sensitive to frequent water changes.

 

[wickedfish]

Or worse case scenario, copper. Put a poly pad in there to see if you have any contaminants.


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[BeanMachine]

Thanks to everyone for the help. I'll try these suggestions. I'm surprised that something would be eating the snails. They seem like they just slowly become inactive and die. I thought maybe they were sensitive to frequent water changes.

Some don't live long in our tanks, like Margarita snails (black round shells) for instance as they come from cooler waters.

I was gonna add that looks like cyano or dinos, but all those come from elevated nutrients so water changes, gfo, skimmer, etc are good ways to combat it.

The conch snails would help.

 

[Reefster]

Alright, got a conch snail and a few more turbos and hermits. I was going to get a polypad, but forgot. I'll let you know how it goes if anyone is interested. Thanks again.

 

[n@no]

Hey reefster did u get that brown stuff out mine just start it do it helppppp meeee

 

[Emac909]

If ur still losing snails look for one of these buggers
http://www.socalireefs.com/forums/showthread.php?p=262293