Tony2163 Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 Hi All Have a question concerning my diatom bloom, a bloom that I was told to expect. I am running an Evo 13.5 Ammonia: 0 Nitrites: 0 Nitrates: 5 Phosphate: 0 PH: 8.1 Alk: 7 Temp: 78.4 Salinity: 1.025 I have the Intank media basket in the first chamber with filter floss, Chemi-Pure elite, just added Phosguard, and Marine Pure bio Media. In the second Chamber I have Marine Pure bio media. Third chamber has the pump, heater and the ATO. Also have the Jebao SW-2 NANO Wavemaker Tank has been running now for 5 weeks Inhabitants are two clown fish, two hermit crabs, 1 Turbo snail two astrea snails three Zoas and 1 Xenia. I am now feeding once a day, down from two, a variety of frozen and dry food. Frozen food is rinsed before feeding and all food is soaked in Selcon and sometimes garlic. Care is taken to feed them slowly as not to overfeed and put extra waste in the tank. Water changes are done once a week, two gallons, although over the last few days I have done two to try and lower the Nitrates to see if that helps with the bloom. I'm running the stock light for approximately 10 hours and the bloom started about 3-4 days ago. Some say to wait it out although I have vacuumed the sand in order to removed some of the bloom and have been brushing some of the rock to try and put the diatoms into the water column to have it picked up by the filter floss which I change every two days. The main question I have is there more than just diatoms in this bloom? I was told that there is also bubbles that can form during the photosynthesis which appears to be the case. When I turn the lights on in the morning no bubbles are present, as the day goes on more and more bubbles are formed, but they appear to be attached to some form of string algae. I have included two pictures to show the bloom and bubbles Any insight, ID or tips from those of you who have already "enjoyed" this phase of the hobby would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Tony Quote Link to comment
WhatsReef Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 It'll calm down. Just relax and enjoy the ride 🧙♂️ 3 Quote Link to comment
Clown79 Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 Diatoms are normal. They feed off silicates which will exhaust and the diatoms will die off. Your nitrates are 5. I would not lower them, that's beneficial nutrients. Same goes with phosphate. Having low to none existant nutrients is not beneficial, if anything it's the perfect environment for dinoflagellates. Sometimes micro bubbles attach to algae and especially to knew rock and sand. 3 Quote Link to comment
asting Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 Do you have a tank thread? Quote Link to comment
Tony2163 Posted April 1, 2019 Author Share Posted April 1, 2019 3 minutes ago, asting said: Do you have a tank thread? I did post a few questions on crab and starfish Id's, if that is what you mean. Quote Link to comment
05XRunner Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 looks more like Dinos than diatoms to me 1 Quote Link to comment
Clown79 Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 47 minutes ago, 05XRunner said: looks more like Dinos than diatoms to me Sometimes when micro bubbles land on algae it can look like dino. It's hard to say, it could be 2 things. A positive I'd would be needed under microscope 1 Quote Link to comment
mcarroll Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 On 4/2/2019 at 10:20 PM, 05XRunner said: I hate Dino’s You don't have to like them (toxic side effects aren't very likable!), but you do have to admit they are pretty amazing once you realize why a bloom happens and what they're doing to control tank chemistry. (Dinoflagellates – Are You Tired Of Battling Altogether? has lots of info, and pictures.) 1 Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.