Does anything eat diatoms?

Discussion in 'Algae' started by jdameli1, Oct 15, 2010.

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  1. jdameli1

    jdameli1 Torch Coral

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    The turbo snails are pretty useless. Do nassarius snails or cerith snails eat it?
     
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  3. Bloodkip

    Bloodkip Ritteri Anemone

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  4. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Nassarious are carnivores but the Ceriths are supposed to. Hermits can help also. Diatoms are normally a phase that goes away when the silicates are all bound. It should go away in a week or two.
     
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  5. jdameli1

    jdameli1 Torch Coral

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    Are those all good to have after the diatoms subside?
     
  6. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Yes they are, turbos also
     
  7. steve wright

    steve wright Super Moderator

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    Astrae? Tecta snails

    I have seen them mowing lines through diatoms on both the rocks and the glass

    Steve
     
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  9. mazaj

    mazaj Feather Duster

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    i got 6 philippine astrea (or from some other asian country) and they cleaned the glass pretty good with the help of a stomatella, and i had a diatom outbreak. i have also couple of large turbo snails too. i have a 75 gallon and within less than a week glass was clean.
     
  10. gabbagabbawill

    gabbagabbawill Pajama Cardinal

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    It's been speculated by some experts that sponges eat diatoms ;)... also, studies have proven that skimmers are very efficient at removing them.

    How old is your tank? Are you sure you have diatoms?
     
  11. blackraven1425

    blackraven1425 Giant Squid

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    Well, that's the planktonic kind, gabba. ;) The ones on the sand/rocks/glass are most definitely different. Diatoms are literally a whole class of algae (over 100,000 different species lol).

    Diatoms that you see early in the tank's lifespan, mostly on the sand and possibly rocks, will go away with time.

    Then you'll get the kind that builds shells and deposits them on your glass, requiring a razor and some elbow grease to fully remove, and that you'll also want to get rid of.
     
  12. gabbagabbawill

    gabbagabbawill Pajama Cardinal

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    Hey, I have those! I had no idea they were diatoms though... Thanks for the info. ;)