Brown Diatom Algae

[Scatta]

Recently, I've been having real trouble with diatom algae. My tank looks like someone has tipped a bucket of mud into my tank and covered all of the decor. I've thoroughly cleaned most of it off the rocks / wood, but I don't want to have to do this every single time I do a water change. So, is there any way to control this nusiance brown algae? I do a weekly water change of 25% and have two filters running at all times. I have no plants in the tank (due to Scats and Monos "lawnmower" like tendencies and an SG of 1.010). Could this be the cause? I'm trying to look into sea grass (link below if anyone is interested in my post), but the algae is becoming a real problem and I need to know how to keep it under control.

Sea Grass Topic

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

O.K. you'll want to get nmonks oppinion on this because I've never heard of this being actually done!

It may be possible to raise the S.G. to seawater strength is you only have scats and monos in there, once you do that you can have live rock and a team of salt water cleaners such as hermits and snails that actually eat diatoms. Again I've never heard of people keeping these sorts of inverts with scats and monos and seing as I have not had much experience with them myself I can't say with authority that they will coexist.

But if nmonks feels like this may be a viable combo/solution I know the inverts would do an excellent job keeping your tank largely algae and diatom free!

Worth an ask, right!

SLC

 

[Scatta]

Sorry for the late reply. Didn't realise anyone had replied!

Unfortunately, the invert / living rock route isn't a road I want to go down. Thanks for the suggestion, though!

I recently read in Baensch Aquarium Atlas Vol.2 (p.164), that Diatoms can be subdued with intense and increased lighting in the tank. Does this work (I'm not disagreeing with the info, but I'd like to know if it' works before I shell out on new lighting)?

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

Sorry for the late reply. Didn't realise anyone had replied!

Unfortunately, the invert / living rock route isn't a road I want to go down. Thanks for the suggestion, though!

I recently read in Baensch Aquarium Atlas Vol.2 (p.164), that Diatoms can be subdued with intense and increased lighting in the tank. Does this work (I'm not disagreeing with the info, but I'd like to know if it' works before I shell out on new lighting)?

not sure about that one, I've been using intensified/lengthened lighting periods to coax diatoms to bloom in my nano reef, quite the opposite of what your literatures are suggesting. Maybe it would work, maybe not. One thing's for sure; keeping impeccable water will help, these things flourish in the presence of nitrate so doing regular water changes in-order to stay ontop of your nitrate levels will help. Also consider using RO water if you don't already, this will eliminate phosphates that may be present in your tap water!

Hope that helps!!!

SLC

 

[Scatta]

Thanks for the info. I'm actually finding it difficult to keep up with maintenance. Monos and Scats are filthy, filthy little buggers. I'll probably switch to RO water soon, as you suggest, to help me out with nitrate contol. I'll probably get a phosphate test kit, too, to see if I can find out what's up with my tank.

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

Thanks for the info. I'm actually finding it difficult to keep up with maintenance. Monos and Scats are filthy, filthy little buggers. I'll probably switch to RO water soon, as you suggest, to help me out with nitrate contol. I'll probably get a phosphate test kit, too, to see if I can find out what's up with my tank.

With the monos and scats being so filthy, it might just prove helpful for you to get some hermits or something to clean up the detritus they leave behind. That is providing that you are willing to provide them with the full strength seawater that these fish will need eventually. and get some aragonite reef sand to help keep your pH up if using RO water.

SLC