Diatoms overpopulation!

[dragonet123]

My live rock has this brown algae all over it. I am sure that it is diatoms. But, its everywhere. Its on my sand, my live rock, and even on my glass! They just started to grow, about a week ago. How do I get rid of it!!??

~Thanks

 

[Old Tom]

A few years back I was plagued with a datom over population in my tank, I thought I did everything to get rid of the stuff it was a chore, when I got a better protein skimmer one rated for a 380 gallon tank and I have a 180 gallon then I was free of the problem. the literature says they come from using tap water and having high organic's in the water, I never used tap water so I may have had hight than expected orgainic's. this and a few bucks will get a cup of coffee good luck.

 

[kbuser92]

Most new tanks have them, in fact, mine does right now. They will eventually burn up the silica in your tank and wear themselves out, but like Tom said, a bigger skimmer would be beneficial, as would be stocking up your nassarius and cerith snails; they both bury themselves in the sand and eat all that junk.


A benefit is that diatoms on your rocks will open up coralline algae growth. I've noticed, and others have, too, that if the surface is dark, coralline will grow much faster.

 

[ReeferRob]

Are you using RO water?

 

[kbuser92]

I am, yes.