Ok what the hell???

I know that there are alot of posts about diatom algae. I have tried my best to follow what I think is the best way to rid this stuff including patience. I have been using ro/di water and testing with inline tds meter--I have 0 tds. and has been calibrated and tested. I added a refugium and chaeto to reduce nitrates--they are down to 5, I have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and 0 phosphates. I do not have a test for silicates, but the ro/di should be taking care of that. I run a reverse photosynthesis 12 on and 12 off. I have a relatively small cuc, but want to eliminate the source. I feed only 1/2 frozen cube daily--alternate between mysis, brine, emerald entree form 2 (omnivore), My sand is pure white, but the live rock is still covered. I had the typical bloom at the end of the cycle, but then it receeded. now it has come back strong. please suggest!!!!

 

Well lets start here, how old is the tank and what is in it? How often do you change water? List all other equipment or cleaning regimen thats not listed in you sig... Then it will be a lot easier to help you... and relax diatoms are natural and happen to everyone!!

Happy posting!

 

how long has the tank been up and running? how many fish and what do you have in there?

 

more cuc

you also have to realize that the cuc wont do it all
You have to suck some of it up when you do water changes and such
also when I had a big outbreak first thing i did was cut back one hour a day of light which helped a little bit

 

Stop feeding frozen shrimp. Try something like Hikari Marine-S.

What kind of snails do you have? and how many? Try adding 150 Golden Astrea snails and see what happens.

Also cut the daylight back to 8 hours. What kind of salt do you use?

You can try adding distilled vodka about 0.5ml a day to start with and see what happens.

 

yeah i agree, feeding frozen every day is a little much.

 

Tank has been up for 3 1/2 months--I have Yellow Tang, Blue Tang, Powder Brown Tang, Percula Clown, Diamond Goby, Scooter Blennie, Lawnmower Blennie, 3 Damsels (From Cycling), 3 P.J. Cardinals--about 15 Turbos and 15 to 20 crabs--No coral yet as reef is not complete and calcium is low--still learning chemistry. So FOWLR right now.

 

Sorry--I forgot--I do 20% water changes bi-weekly

 

not near enough CUC for your size tank. i have 15 astrea, 2 turbos, and 8 hermits in only a 36 gal with 0 nitrates. i would buy LOTS more snails, a few different kinds too.

 

thanks annie but where is the algae food source coming from???