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jimbanks · 05-01-2008, 04:47 PM

I replied to a post with this general subject in another thread but am throwing it on here too for a little more exposure (plus I think this is actually the correct place for the thread anyway considering it deals with algae/diatom):

Hey guys, I'm hoping for a diatom/chemical junkie to help me out here. My 75 gallon tank is currently set up with crushed coral, some dead coral for decoration, about 20 pounds of live rock that I am slowly expanding, and some fish. 2 clowns, a baby trigger (that I intend to move into a new tank as he grows), a foxface, and a damsel. I have a Fluval 404 and an Aquaclear 100. I also have a Rio 1200 and a Penguin 550 powerhead.
So it seems the water circulates more than 10 or so times per hour and the filtration all is functioning great and the aeration seems adequate. I am having a Diatom bloom and am hoping to find out how to nip it. All levels are right on the money.

After doing some reading it looks like the phosphates that are coming in with my tap water are the culprit. I will likely be getting an RO/DI thing to alleviate this problem but am curious what happens if I don't. Will the diatoms continue to come back every time I do a water change? I understand that keeping the lights off will help stunt the growth but that seems kind of boring for a nice bright fish tank!!

Any advice would be appreciated!

edit-i forgot to mention that I currently don't have a clean up crew because my wife has some interest in a small puffer which might eat it. Given the constant maintenance of a tank with diatom blooms I may be able to talk her out of that and into a CUC. If I go that direction I was also curious what would be recommended with my current fish mix.(ie. any stars or snails in particular?) I understand that crabs are evil so will avoid those! I also read that some of these fish will gobble up a shrimp maybe so those might be off the menu.

05-01-2008, 04:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
jimbanks Tunicate Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 14 View Gallery Karma Komment	Diatom algae questions I replied to a post with this general subject in another thread but am throwing it on here too for a little more exposure (plus I think this is actually the correct place for the thread anyway considering it deals with algae/diatom): Hey guys, I'm hoping for a diatom/chemical junkie to help me out here. My 75 gallon tank is currently set up with crushed coral, some dead coral for decoration, about 20 pounds of live rock that I am slowly expanding, and some fish. 2 clowns, a baby trigger (that I intend to move into a new tank as he grows), a foxface, and a damsel. I have a Fluval 404 and an Aquaclear 100. I also have a Rio 1200 and a Penguin 550 powerhead. So it seems the water circulates more than 10 or so times per hour and the filtration all is functioning great and the aeration seems adequate. I am having a Diatom bloom and am hoping to find out how to nip it. All levels are right on the money. After doing some reading it looks like the phosphates that are coming in with my tap water are the culprit. I will likely be getting an RO/DI thing to alleviate this problem but am curious what happens if I don't. Will the diatoms continue to come back every time I do a water change? I understand that keeping the lights off will help stunt the growth but that seems kind of boring for a nice bright fish tank!! Any advice would be appreciated! edit-i forgot to mention that I currently don't have a clean up crew because my wife has some interest in a small puffer which might eat it. Given the constant maintenance of a tank with diatom blooms I may be able to talk her out of that and into a CUC. If I go that direction I was also curious what would be recommended with my current fish mix.(ie. any stars or snails in particular?) I understand that crabs are evil so will avoid those! I also read that some of these fish will gobble up a shrimp maybe so those might be off the menu.