The Diatoms Refuse to Leave...

ClinicaTerra · 10-07-2011, 03:54 PM

I've been running Seachem's PhosGuard in my AquaClear 110 for months now, and the diatoms continue to grow on everything and won't disappear; brown algae has consumed my plants, decor and gravel, plus has attached itself to the glass in spots, and with each passing day, the infestation gets thicker seemingly. The tank has been running for over one year now, and the diatoms have never disappeared.

Can anyone tell me why this infestation of diatoms won't break in my tank...even with a switch from tap to purified outside water?

blueangels · 10-07-2011, 06:47 PM

Silicates from your substrate possibly?

ClinicaTerra · 10-07-2011, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueangels

Silicates from your substrate possibly?

I've considered this; would colored gravel cause this, especially for so long? I did use gravel designated and specifically made for aquariums...

holly12 · 10-07-2011, 10:19 PM

How strong is your light and how long do you have it on for?

ClinicaTerra · 10-07-2011, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holly12

How strong is your light and how long do you have it on for?

Hi Holly.

I am not certain of its wattage, but, as you can see in my sig, I'm running an Aqueon fluorescent light strip above the glass tops of the tank, and they're on only for occasional watching of the fish for a few hours or so at max, or during feedings at the conclusion of which we shut the lights.

bmoore09 · 10-09-2011, 04:13 AM

Oto cats. They'll take care of it.

ClinicaTerra · 10-09-2011, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmoore09

Oto cats. They'll take care of it.

Hello bmoore.

I have been advised to add cats to the tank before; I am not certain these will mix with three goldfish, though.

Can cats mix with cold water goldies?

holly12 · 10-09-2011, 10:01 PM

Nah, they are warm water fish. What about a snail? I know Nerite snails are wicked algae eaters... I think they can be in fairly cold water (72-77 degrees I've read...) I kept mine in 80 degree water. Google Nerite Snail Temperature Range and check a few sites out.

They need brackish water for the eggs to hatch, so you won't be overpopulated with babies. They do leave little 'sesame seed' like eggs around but at least there's no babies. You can scrape the eggs off.

ClinicaTerra · 10-10-2011, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holly12

Nah, they are warm water fish. What about a snail? I know Nerite snails are wicked algae eaters... I think they can be in fairly cold water (72-77 degrees I've read...) I kept mine in 80 degree water. Google Nerite Snail Temperature Range and check a few sites out.

They need brackish water for the eggs to hatch, so you won't be overpopulated with babies. They do leave little 'sesame seed' like eggs around but at least there's no babies. You can scrape the eggs off.

I didn't consider a snail...

The thing is, our tank is so overrun with this brown algae, I am not sure if something like a cat or snail will take care of it; if you would like pictures to see what I am talking about, please let me know...

BTW -- what did you make of my reply regarding the lights (responding to your question)? Do you think that is doing it?

holly12 · 10-11-2011, 07:50 PM

I had black algae that NOTHING would eat! My Pleco wouldn't touch it, the Oto's wouldn't touch it - I couldn't get it off with a scraper. I put 3 Nerites in and ALL the algae in the tank (BBA, green, brown, etc...) was GONE!

Google Nerites and their algae eating capabilities. A couple of them can clean a tank in just a few days!

ClinicaTerra · 10-12-2011, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holly12

I had black algae that NOTHING would eat! My Pleco wouldn't touch it, the Oto's wouldn't touch it - I couldn't get it off with a scraper. I put 3 Nerites in and ALL the algae in the tank (BBA, green, brown, etc...) was GONE!

Google Nerites and their algae eating capabilities. A couple of them can clean a tank in just a few days!

I'll look that up, but can these things mix with goldfish? That's always the question for me...

What exactly is black algae? I never heard of that kind; is it actually, literally black? Where/what does it come from?

James0816 · 10-12-2011, 07:01 AM

Black Beard Algae (BBA). Yep..it's actually black. And, to some extent, it will even look pretty nice in a tank depending on where it's at. I know people who purposely leave it for that reason.

The goldies shouldn't bother the Nerites. Briggs (Apple/Mystery) snails can help out too. The only thing here would be a carefull water on your tank parms specifically with the Ammonia.

ClinicaTerra · 10-15-2011, 03:06 PM

Thanks, everyone, for the replies and suggestions with this ongoing problem of ours; I am not sure what we are going to do at this point because the diatoms get progressively and seemingly thicker and worse with each passing day.

If this is being caused by our substrate, what can I do about it? Is there any way to know if the gravel is causing this diatom outbreak? Would this really be going on for so long already if it is the gravel?

James0816 · 10-15-2011, 03:15 PM

Unfortunately.....as long as there is a viable source of silicates...there is going to be diatoms.

ClinicaTerra · 10-15-2011, 03:25 PM

James,

I have been running a pack of Seachem's PhosGuard for a few months now, with no apparent results in terms of diatom improvement. Do you suggest I just remove the PhosGuard at this point?

Further -- how do I know exactly what is feeding the diatoms the silicates?

10-07-2011, 03:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
ClinicaTerra Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 433 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 6 Times Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	The Diatoms Refuse to Leave... I've been running Seachem's PhosGuard in my AquaClear 110 for months now, and the diatoms continue to grow on everything and won't disappear; brown algae has consumed my plants, decor and gravel, plus has attached itself to the glass in spots, and with each passing day, the infestation gets thicker seemingly. The tank has been running for over one year now, and the diatoms have never disappeared. Can anyone tell me why this infestation of diatoms won't break in my tank...even with a switch from tap to purified outside water? __________________ FUJIMOTO 60-GALLON RECTANGULAR - BLACK OAK STAND & FULL CANOPY - AQUEON GLASS VERSA-TOP (24"X1) & FLUORESCENT LIGHT STRIP - MARINELAND PERFECTO GLASS CANOPY (24"X1) AQUEON QUIETFLOW 55 325GPH (1) - HAGEN AQUACLEAR A-620/110 500GPH (1) RENA AIR 400 (1) - TETRA WHISPER 60 AIR PUMP (1) - PETCO BUBBLE BARS (18"X2) RED CAP ORANDA (1) - CHOCOLATE/GOLD FANTAIL (1) - CALICO RYUKIN (1) - NEW! - ]RED/ORANGE RYUKIN (1) - NEW!

10-07-2011, 06:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
blueangels Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 9 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: The Diatoms Refuse to Leave... Silicates from your substrate possibly?

10-07-2011, 10:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
holly12 Dude.... wait..... what? holly12's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 3,074 Name: Holly Location: Canada My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 815 Times Said "Thanks" 672 Times Was Thanked 528 Times in 515 Posts	Re: The Diatoms Refuse to Leave... How strong is your light and how long do you have it on for? __________________ 20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981 36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

10-09-2011, 04:13 AM	#6 (permalink)
bmoore09 bmoore09's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 191 Name: Anthony Moore Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3 Times Said "Thanks" 13 Times Was Thanked 14 Times in 10 Posts	Re: The Diatoms Refuse to Leave... Oto cats. They'll take care of it.

10-09-2011, 10:01 PM	#8 (permalink)
holly12 Dude.... wait..... what? holly12's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 3,074 Name: Holly Location: Canada My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 815 Times Said "Thanks" 672 Times Was Thanked 528 Times in 515 Posts	Re: The Diatoms Refuse to Leave... Nah, they are warm water fish. What about a snail? I know Nerite snails are wicked algae eaters... I think they can be in fairly cold water (72-77 degrees I've read...) I kept mine in 80 degree water. Google Nerite Snail Temperature Range and check a few sites out. They need brackish water for the eggs to hatch, so you won't be overpopulated with babies. They do leave little 'sesame seed' like eggs around but at least there's no babies. You can scrape the eggs off. __________________ 20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981 36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

Members currently in the chatroom: 1
	The most chatters online in one day was 16, 03-02-2012. TaylorM237

10-11-2011, 07:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
holly12 Dude.... wait..... what? holly12's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 3,074 Name: Holly Location: Canada My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 815 Times Said "Thanks" 672 Times Was Thanked 528 Times in 515 Posts	Re: The Diatoms Refuse to Leave... I had black algae that NOTHING would eat! My Pleco wouldn't touch it, the Oto's wouldn't touch it - I couldn't get it off with a scraper. I put 3 Nerites in and ALL the algae in the tank (BBA, green, brown, etc...) was GONE! Google Nerites and their algae eating capabilities. A couple of them can clean a tank in just a few days! __________________ 20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981 36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

10-12-2011, 07:01 AM	#12 (permalink)
James0816 James0816's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2,455 Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 34 Times Was Thanked 526 Times in 454 Posts	Re: The Diatoms Refuse to Leave... Black Beard Algae (BBA). Yep..it's actually black. And, to some extent, it will even look pretty nice in a tank depending on where it's at. I know people who purposely leave it for that reason. The goldies shouldn't bother the Nerites. Briggs (Apple/Mystery) snails can help out too. The only thing here would be a carefull water on your tank parms specifically with the Ammonia.

10-15-2011, 03:06 PM	#13 (permalink)
ClinicaTerra Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 433 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 6 Times Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: The Diatoms Refuse to Leave... Thanks, everyone, for the replies and suggestions with this ongoing problem of ours; I am not sure what we are going to do at this point because the diatoms get progressively and seemingly thicker and worse with each passing day. If this is being caused by our substrate, what can I do about it? Is there any way to know if the gravel is causing this diatom outbreak? Would this really be going on for so long already if it is the gravel? __________________ FUJIMOTO 60-GALLON RECTANGULAR - BLACK OAK STAND & FULL CANOPY - AQUEON GLASS VERSA-TOP (24"X1) & FLUORESCENT LIGHT STRIP - MARINELAND PERFECTO GLASS CANOPY (24"X1) AQUEON QUIETFLOW 55 325GPH (1) - HAGEN AQUACLEAR A-620/110 500GPH (1) RENA AIR 400 (1) - TETRA WHISPER 60 AIR PUMP (1) - PETCO BUBBLE BARS (18"X2) RED CAP ORANDA (1) - CHOCOLATE/GOLD FANTAIL (1) - CALICO RYUKIN (1) - NEW! - ]RED/ORANGE RYUKIN (1) - NEW!

10-15-2011, 03:15 PM	#14 (permalink)
James0816 James0816's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2,455 Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 34 Times Was Thanked 526 Times in 454 Posts	Re: The Diatoms Refuse to Leave... Unfortunately.....as long as there is a viable source of silicates...there is going to be diatoms.

10-15-2011, 03:25 PM	#15 (permalink)
ClinicaTerra Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 433 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 6 Times Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: The Diatoms Refuse to Leave... James, I have been running a pack of Seachem's PhosGuard for a few months now, with no apparent results in terms of diatom improvement. Do you suggest I just remove the PhosGuard at this point? Further -- how do I know exactly what is feeding the diatoms the silicates? __________________ FUJIMOTO 60-GALLON RECTANGULAR - BLACK OAK STAND & FULL CANOPY - AQUEON GLASS VERSA-TOP (24"X1) & FLUORESCENT LIGHT STRIP - MARINELAND PERFECTO GLASS CANOPY (24"X1) AQUEON QUIETFLOW 55 325GPH (1) - HAGEN AQUACLEAR A-620/110 500GPH (1) RENA AIR 400 (1) - TETRA WHISPER 60 AIR PUMP (1) - PETCO BUBBLE BARS (18"X2) RED CAP ORANDA (1) - CHOCOLATE/GOLD FANTAIL (1) - CALICO RYUKIN (1) - NEW! - ]RED/ORANGE RYUKIN (1) - NEW!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)