Rusty Diatoms... will fish eat them?

Discussion in 'Algae' started by Colts_U, Dec 20, 2008.

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  1. Colts_U

    Colts_U Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2008
    Messages:
    29
    Location:
    Central Ohio
    Here's what it looks like, I just want to make sure that im talking about the right kind of algae, please correct me if im wrong in thinking these are diatoms.

    I was thinking about a goldhead, then called by LFS, they wanted $40! is this usual? are there any cheaper sandsifters commonly available?

    thanks for all your help guys.

    ON SAND
    <IMG onmouseover="if(this.width >= 400) {this.style.cursor='pointer';}" style="WIDTH: 400px; ; WIDTH: expression(this.width > 400 ? 400 : true); CURSOR: pointer" onclick="if(this.width >= 400) window.open('http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa255/Colts_U/badalgae.jpg','Image','toolbar=no, directories=no, status=no, menubar=no, scrollbars=no, resizable=yes');" src="http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa255/Colts_U/badalgae.jpg" onload="if(this.width >= 400) {this.alt='Click here to see the orignal image';}" border=0>

    ON GLASS
    <IMG onmouseover="if(this.width >= 400) {this.style.cursor='pointer';}" style="WIDTH: 400px; ; WIDTH: expression(this.width > 400 ? 400 : true); CURSOR: pointer" onclick="if(this.width >= 400) window.open('http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa255/Colts_U/badalgae2.jpg','Image','toolbar=no, directories=no, status=no, menubar=no, scrollbars=no, resizable=yes');" src="http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa255/Colts_U/badalgae2.jpg" onload="if(this.width >= 400) {this.alt='Click here to see the orignal image';}" border=0>
     
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  3. Colts_U

    Colts_U Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2008
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    Location:
    Central Ohio
  4. Dr.Fragenstein

    Dr.Fragenstein Panda Puffer

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2008
    Messages:
    2,108
    Location:
    SE Wisconsin
    Many conchs will eat diatoms off the sand... other snails will not. A few acanthurus tangs will but again TOO big!!
    Like stated algaes go in stages in news tanks, diatoms, cyanobacteria, green and hair algae and coralline, not always in that order but they all will happen even if you are Shimek or Sprung!! The main thing you can do is maintain stellar water quality and be patient.
    Good luck and happy reefing!!
     
  5. mirandacollc

    mirandacollc Flame Angel

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2008
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    1,505
    Location:
    Lebanon ME
    I had to do a rescue of my first one it jumped into the overflow but this one is shy. I see it about once a week it hides behind my rock arch. I wish it chose a front hiding place instead.
     
  6. tigermike74

    tigermike74 Panda Puffer

    Joined:
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    2,116
    Location:
    Southern CA
    My 4year old 12G nano just hit a serious case of diatoms for no reason. It looks like the sand bed was painted with it! :furious3: Nothing has been living in that tank for 2 years now!
     
  7. NU-2reef

    NU-2reef Montipora Digitata

    Joined:
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    Location:
    vancouver, canada
    COLT U

    sorry to inform you but its NOT diatom that cyano algae "redslime algae". this can be a battle. check all your filters make sure they are clean and working properly. check water param. and do water change also increase flow.

    normally more flow and better water quality and the stuff will go away. snails dont normally eat this stuff yet my turbos did so....

    are you running carbon?

    if you are desperate GOOGLE:RED SLIME REMOVER
    its a chemical additive that is just a temporary way to slow down the spreading and slowly eliminate but use this as a last ditch effort not THE solution.GOODLUCK
     
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  9. NU-2reef

    NU-2reef Montipora Digitata

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    one more question

    Do you see any bubbles that seem to be getting covered by the red stuff? the bubbles are a sign of low flow. if no bubbles then concentrate more on water quality bu more flow won't hurt.

    I picked up another powerhead when i had some redslime helped with redslime bubbles but the red stuff still stuck around only untill i improved filtration and water quality with more frequent water changes.