diatoms
- Thread starter johno1973
- Start date
coolhandgoose
Reef enthusiast
I don't think there are many snails that eat diatoms, but they're good to have on hand for the next algae cycle, the dreaded green hair algae!
What is a good way to keep them under control then? I know from reading on here that some site descriptions are less than accurate. They did say that some of the snails will eat diatoms. I ordered ceriths, nassarius, and nerite snails as the first additions of my cuc. If they don't eat the diatoms should I supplement them with algae sheets or something?
coolhandgoose
Reef enthusiast
Personally, I wouldn't panic, diatoms don't last very long. Once they're gone the next phase of GHA will start so your snails will be fine. Plus they'll find stuff to eat off your glass and rocks.
BL1
.............
Reefcleaners.org claims that cerith's will eat diatoms.
reeffreak
Reef pro
Astreas,trochus,ceriths and nerites will eat diatoms.
Queen conch and cerith will even eat diatoms from the sandbed.
Queen conch and cerith will even eat diatoms from the sandbed.
coolhandgoose
Reef enthusiast
That's good to know thanks. Then again diatoms should just go away on their own, right?
BL1
.............
Yep, it's all apart of the cycle ... It grows in our tanks from the silicates in the sand I believe, once they're all used up the algae should go away
Nothing really eats diatoms by definition of the word, but things like nassarius snails and bristleworms will keep it agitated and at least help keep the sand looking clean.
More flow helps too. I never really got a diatom bloom in my tank because I started with 60x turnover right off the bat.
More flow helps too. I never really got a diatom bloom in my tank because I started with 60x turnover right off the bat.
reeffreak
Reef pro
Are we confusing diatoms with something else?Yes,it's not a true algae but snails do consume it.
About Brown or Golden Diatom Algae - What Makes Brown Algae Grow and Solutions for Eliminating This Problem in Saltwater Aquariums
About Brown or Golden Diatom Algae - What Makes Brown Algae Grow and Solutions for Eliminating This Problem in Saltwater Aquariums
Ulta
REEFER
Aye reef has got ya here, my snails mow down diatoms.
Are you sure your not thinking of Cyanobacteria? Nothing I know will touch that and its a half bacteria/half algae dinosaur =P
Here's a pic of "Snail Trail" in my tank when I just got it set up:
You can see certain areas are clean. I have Astreas, Ceriths, and Hermits. All eat it to my knowledge.
Are you sure your not thinking of Cyanobacteria? Nothing I know will touch that and its a half bacteria/half algae dinosaur =P
Here's a pic of "Snail Trail" in my tank when I just got it set up:
You can see certain areas are clean. I have Astreas, Ceriths, and Hermits. All eat it to my knowledge.
BL1
.............
According to reefcleaners, cerith and nerite snails both eat cyano. Don't know if it's true but I'm gonna try them if I get another outbreak
Bifferwine
I am a girl
It usually takes 2 to 3 weeks for skimmers to break in and start working.
What should it look like right now? Should I keep the water level up in the cone in the collection cup or in the main body? It is sending micro bubbles into the DT. I don't mind, really, but should I try to make it stop? How many bubbles should there be in the body? Right now it is full of bubbles but not really looking cyclonic.If I turn the air down it will stop sending bubbles into the tank but it doesn't look like a lot in the skimmer itself. Which is best. Sorry for all the questions. This is my first SW aquarium and I haven't dealt with a skimmer before.
Bifferwine
I am a girl
Turn it down so that it's not collected anything in the cup and not sending bubbles into the display. Don't worry about trying to collect stuff until it breaks in -- if you do, you risk it flooding. It will be really finicky at first, you just sort of have to plug it in, turn it down so that it doesn't flood, and walk away for a few days! Once it breaks in and runs for a while, it will be much easier to dial in -- trust me!
Also, are you using any sort of tap water conditioner/dechlorinator? If so, that will prevent the skimmer from working. You will either need to use RODI water, or switch conditioners to SeaChem Prime, which supposedly doesn't screw with skimmers.
Also, are you using any sort of tap water conditioner/dechlorinator? If so, that will prevent the skimmer from working. You will either need to use RODI water, or switch conditioners to SeaChem Prime, which supposedly doesn't screw with skimmers.
I have used stres coat marine when I first set up the tank and maybe once since then. I currently use ro water. I will make sure to make the adjustments, definitely don't want a flood, and see what happens. Wish I had been able to get the skimmer a few weeks ago. Oh well, can't win them all. Thanks Biff, you're a life saver.
Bifferwine
I am a girl
No problem! Skimmers are weird.
daugherty
part time reefer
you can also run the skimmer in a bucket of a vinager water mix and it helps to break them in faster it strips all the machining oils in the plastic
