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Is this diatom and am I doing ok?

Stephen swan

Stephen swan

Member
Joined
6 Apr 2013
Messages
87
Hi guys, so I am three weeks into this new planter tank and I have been hit with brown algae the last week and a half.
I’m hoping it is diatom and will pass but it looks unsightly and is starting to cover the Monte Carlo badly.
I have an RGB twin star light running 6 hours per day.
Co2 - I have increased the co2 to 2 bubbles per second.
Ada Amazonia ver 2
Ferts - specialised nutrition 1 pump per day.
Amonia and nitrite are now 0
Don’t have test for Nitrate
Dosing with prime every water change
Doing water changes daily 40%.

The pictures don’t capture the mess but I just need some reassurance that I’m doing everything ok.
Would appreciate any advice
 

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Stephen andrew swan said:
Hi guys, so I am three weeks into this new planter tank and I have been hit with brown algae the last week and a half.
I’m hoping it is diatom and will pass but it looks unsightly and is starting to cover the Monte Carlo badly.
I have an RGB twin star light running 6 hours per day.
Co2 - I have increased the co2 to 2 bubbles per second.
Ada Amazonia ver 2
Ferts - specialised nutrition 1 pump per day.
Amonia and nitrite are now 0
Don’t have test for Nitrate
Dosing with prime every water change
Doing water changes daily 40%.

The pictures don’t capture the mess but I just need some reassurance that I’m doing everything ok.
Would appreciate any advice
Click to expand...
Yes, everything is fine, diatoms are really common in new set ups. Regular manual removal and good maintenance (which you already have covered), and this algae will Go away in a few weeks.
 
It's just a personal opinion, of course, but Bacopa caroliniana somehow strikes me as too bold for this tiny scape. What about Eleocharis sp. Montevidensis?
 
Mac I’m glad you said that cause I’ve been thinking exactly the same but didn’t want to mess around with it like I usually do untill the tank has stability.
I wondered if the Bacopa would help with Nitrate and waste organics.
I defo agree it makes it look messy but am thinking to leave it for the next few weeks and then change the background to maybe Eleocharis or something red that doesn’t grow to fast.
 
Has anyone else got any suggestions with what background plants would make this 45p look more attractive ??
 
Just an update on this tank, starting to get worried about the amount of brown algae that is covering the Monte Carlo, it’s literally covered sections of the plant so it won’t be getting light . So difficult to remove without pulling the plant up.
What can I do guys ??
 
Just an update on my tank.
It’s now 6 weeks old and still no sign of the Diatoms going away.
I continue with daily water changes and cleaning my oase thermo 100 once per week .
I have bought an electric timer for my Twinstar v3 s range that has 8 modes to change light intensity from 0-100%.

Just wondering if anyone can give me some advice on what intensity to have during my 8 hours .
 
Someone who uses that light may help with whether your intensity is possibly too strong which won't help. Just thinking your 2bubbles a second is on the low side and check your flow -is CO2 not getting to the carpet sufficient? Can you add some fast growing stems and some floating plants. The aquarium is still in early days so give it time . Make any changes gradually
 
Thanks for the reply Paraguay.
I will take a look at increasing Co2 gradually.
Hopefully someone with Twinstar experience will be able to guide me.
 
PARAGUAY said:
Someone who uses that light may help with whether your intensity is possibly too strong which won't help. Just thinking your 2bubbles a second is on the low side and check your flow -is CO2 not getting to the carpet sufficient? Can you add some fast growing stems and some floating plants. The aquarium is still in early days so give it time . Make any changes gradually
Click to expand...
Do you think two bubbles per second is low on a 45p tank ? Only dealing with 30 litres of water at a push. I think if I push it up anymore the drop checker will turn yellow and be a risk to shrimp.
Still hoping someone with RGB high lighting experience can guide me in terms of intensity and setting up light controller.
 
Your right to be wary of too much CO2 and livestock. Your ok if it's green,some prefer yellow and handle it well but if anything goes a miss? Take a look at Carbon Dioxide sticky threads
@zeus gives a good explanation of dialling in CO2. Like l said any changes should be slowly done esp CO2. Often flow is the issue. You could email Dave or Steve at Aquarium Gardens they use and stock twinstar lights. Hope this helps
 
I noticed some bubble on the surface yesterday and tested the water and it had 50ppm of NH3 so I’ve removed all livestock and put them in a separate tank.
Last night I smashed the tank with numerous water changes and cleaning and removed endless amounts of rotting plant diatoms and dirt.
The filter can obviously not cope with the spike oase thermo smart 100.
Today I am going to get some fast growing stem plants and floating plants.
I’m reading conflicting info about light intensity in this situation some say dial it down others say keep it at 100% for full duration . Your comments defo help because it’s just cool to interact with someone instead of just reading and watching green aqua videos lol.
I will email Dave from AG as that’s who I bought by light off so would be good to hear his thoughts .
 
MDfishtanks is good one to watch he glady shows you any issues with diatoms or algae unlike many you tubers who try convince you to purchase something.
As soon as you can as well as your shrimp try to add some some Otto's they are good at algae issues.
 
Still struggling with the diatoms.
Couldn’t find any content on diatoms from Mdfishtanks .
I’ve spoke to two separate planted aquarium specialists regarding that to do regarding lighting , one said turn the intensity right down and the other said ramp it up .pulling y hair out with it.
Continue to do daily 75 % water changes and manual removal of diatoms .
Surely someone on here knows the science behind this stuff and how to combat it.
At present I have lights on for 7 hours with intensity ranging from 60-100%.
 
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