Sand question plese

[fastzorro]

Am getting a thin brown layer on top of my sand. Starting to get alot. Should I remove it? How?

 

[Dana42078]

Diatoms?

 

[fastzorro]

What???

 

[Bifferwine]

Sounds like diatoms. Diatoms are a normal part of a new tank's cycle. If your nitrites and ammonia are at zero, I would get some nassarius snails and hermit crabs. It won't go away completely, but it's not harmful, so I wouldn't worry about it too much. Diatoms will go away as your tank matures, and the outbreaks will become less frequent. If you are using tap water, you may have continuous problems with diatoms, because they use silicates to grow -- and silicates are commonly found in tap water.

 

[fastzorro]

My tank is 6 months old though......

 

[Bifferwine]

Are you using tap water? Or did you use play sand in your tank?

 

[fastzorro]

Ha Ha. NO! Using rev os water & ready min live....