I cant stop brown diatoms from forming.. why?

b_james · #1 09-12-2006, 10:39 PM

My nitrates are near zero, all evap water and water changes are RO/DI with Hi-S. And I am always getting a lot of brown diatoms covering ONLY the sand. There is absolutly no algae eccept for coraline growing on rocks havent had any grow for the last 4 months. Every 3-4 days I get a light dusting of green on glass, bu thats it. Why is my sand a huge magnet for this gold/brown diatom. Its hard to see in the photo as the light is reflecting back, but the diatom is pretty dark.

Sammy · #2 09-12-2006, 11:06 PM

Howdy,

How is the flow of water over your sand bed? I think by getting alittle more even flow over your sand bed will help out. Do you notice any particular areas that get covered more? could be a dead zone, very little current.
just a thought.

HTH,

Sammy

kwirky · #3 09-13-2006, 01:26 AM

maybe that's where your nutrients are piling? if it won't harm a DSB, maybe give it a little vacuum?

b_james · #4 09-13-2006, 09:08 PM

There is flow in those areas, but not as much as the rest. I am running 2 Stream 6100's giving me over 6000 GPH of flow. But it does make sense that there may be a build up of nutrients. I will have to try putting pumps in a different location.

Joe Reefer · #5 09-13-2006, 09:53 PM

If your tank is less than a year old, it could prob be your tank maturing.

EmilyB · #6 09-13-2006, 10:42 PM

You might want to throw a couple fighting conchs in there.

Johnny Reefer · #7 09-14-2006, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Reefer

If your tank is less than a year old, it could prob be your tank maturing.

I tend to agree with my bro' Joe. I have a 135 FOWLR with 4 Triggers and a Cleaner Wrasse. It's been up and running for 10 months now. I had the same prob. Brown diatoms on the sand, but nowhere else. I really didn't concern myself with it until about two months ago. That was when I started incorporating an additional routine during monthly maintenance. That being....when I "blast" (sorry...can't think of another word) clean the live rock with a turkey baster I now give the surface of the sand a "blast" also. But nothing serious. Not really a "blast". More like a "puff" and just on the surface. Just enough to kinda disturb it about a 1/2" depth. Have had no brown diatoms on the sand since.
Maybe worth a try

....?

Cheers

,

Chin_Lee · #8 09-14-2006, 02:22 AM

suck out the sand and go barebottom.

safety4fire · #9 09-14-2006, 02:26 AM

goby1 · #10 09-14-2006, 02:59 AM

... sand sifting starfish