Well, diatoms are
a brown algae
that typically appear in a reef tank that has just completed its cycle but they can also appear in an established reef tank. They can cover sand, rock, pumps, glass, you name it. Diatoms look ugly but in most cases they are harmless so the key is to not panic when they appear.
What does diatoms look like?
Diatom morphology varies. Although the shape of the cell is
typically circular
, some cells may be triangular, square, or elliptical. Their distinguishing feature is a hard mineral shell or frustule composed of opal (hydrated, polymerized silicic acid).
How do I know if my diatoms reef tank?
The easiest way to tell the difference between diatoms and dinoflagellates is
to disturb them
. If they clump together they are dinoflagellates. If they disperse like sand they're diatoms.
Are diatoms bad for reef tank?
There are a number of reasons to remove them from your tank and keep them from reappearing in the future, other than the fact that brown diatoms are ugly in an aquarium.
They can deplete oxygen in the tank when they die and decompose
. They can cover the corals and live rock, suffocating them and causing die-off.
How do you kill diatoms in a reef tank?
- Perform water changes in your tank with quality water. …
- Remove algae from your tank glass. …
- Remove algae from your substrate. …
- Remove any decor that is removable to easily remove brown algae on those surfaces.
How long before diatoms go away?
Well-Known Member. Mine went away after
about 2-3 weeks
. Once it started collecting quite a bit I'd blow the rocks and sand with a turkey baster to make it look a lil nicer until they went away. Jus part of starting a new tank.
Does Brown algae mean my tank is cycled?
Every aquarium at one time or another experiences a bloom of brown algae. You are most likely to see it during the cycling phase of a new tank or while curing Live Rock. Brown algae can also show up at any time in well established tanks.
Brown algae is not an algae at all
, but a tiny animal called a diatom.
How do I get rid of diatoms?
Use a UV Sterilizer
.
UV sterilizers
pass water through a tube with a very bright UV or UVC light. The light can kill algae, diatoms, bacteria and even some viruses that pass by in the water. The UV can kill any floating diatoms so they don't have a chance to attach and grow on surfaces.
How do you know if you have diatoms?
Although the structures of the valves in living diatoms are not discernible in detail, certain genera or species of diatoms can well be identified.
If features are added such as chloroplast types and arrangement in valve and girdle view
, or colony formation, the possibilities of determination enlarge.
Are diatoms good or bad?
Diatoms are a silicon based algae (phytoplankton) which can out-compete the growth of other types of algae, including those toxic forms that cause HAB's. As well as preventing toxic algae from growing, Diatoms are also
good
as they provide nutrients for fish whilst also increasing oxygen in the water.
Do diatoms go away at night?
regarding the photosynthetic nature…that's true but so is
algae and it doesn't disappear at night
. It just seems like a strange occurrence. That has more to do with the cell structure than anything else. Some Dinoflagellate strains also disappear when the lights go out and come back when back on.
How long do diatoms last in reef tank?
I'd say with CUC you should see the Diatoms subside in
2-4 weeks
… It'll be noticeable when you have reached the end of the bloom as the CUC will get ahead of it and they won't return!!!
What will eat diatoms in reef tank?
Nerite, Cerith and Trochus snails
are all known to eat diatoms. Adding these to your saltwater aquarium will certainly help reduce the population and clear up your tank quicker than if you didn't.
Will diatoms kill corals?
Encrusting diatoms are most dangerous in reef tanks since they will first start to grow at the base of corals and move upward. They will cause the corals to recede and
in a matter of a few days can kill the colony
.
Will Phosguard remove diatoms?
It helped me eradicate brown diatoms from my planted tank, I put some on my canister filter on a media bag. For better results pre-filter new water before is put into the tank. I cut a large plastic bottle on the bottom and I put the phosguard in a media bag inside, pour water thru it into a bucket and is good to go.
