can you have 2 diatom blooms?

Discussion in 'Algae' started by grinder37, May 8, 2010.

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  1. grinder37

    grinder37 Whip-Lash Squid

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    my tank is 7 months old now,params check fine,started the tank with tap water but switched to ro/di for top offs and water changes several months ago.No doubt i have the tank a little overstocked,but i change 20% water 1 to 2 times a week and run my skimmer full bore.But it seems as i'm getting some cyano under control,i am now having a 2nd diatom bloom.Is this normal for a fairly new tank??Will it hurt anything as i now have some softy corals and some inverts in there?
     
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  3. reefmonkey

    reefmonkey Giant Squid

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    You'll have blooms everytime you introduce new silicates..i.e. plastics like powerheads, pvc, etc. They're usually smaller and don't last as long.
     
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  4. grinder37

    grinder37 Whip-Lash Squid

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    Man that was fast! thanks for the info,is there anything i can do to speed up there there eviction notice?? They wont hurt anything in the tank will they?I have a little cheato and a couple other small macros,but it's acumulating on those as well,i've been blowing them off with a squeeze bulb the last couple days.
     
  5. reefmonkey

    reefmonkey Giant Squid

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    They'll starve out when the silicates are used up. If they get to heavy on corals, rocks etc. Just blow em off with a turkey baster. But since it's your second bloom it shouldn't get anywhere near that bad.
     
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  6. Dingo

    Dingo Giant Squid

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    they are actually dead phytoplankton so they will naturally accumulate on your macro algae.
    they do have a lot of nutrients for corals and some fish when they are alive so they are not bad or anything
     
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  7. grinder37

    grinder37 Whip-Lash Squid

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    Thats a relief!! thanks guys,i was getting worried.
     
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  9. BonnieC

    BonnieC Astrea Snail

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    What exactly are diatomes? Are they the brown stuff down in your sand?