Changed Bulb, slight Diatom dusting

acropora213 · #1 03/13/2007, 11:10 PM

First off the tank is well established and all param's are within what's deemed as optimal conditions.
Been runnin for years...

My question is :

How long does this little bit of a diatom bloom last in the sand ??
I changed bulbs from a 14k blueline to a 20k XM , and after the first night I can see just the slightest amount of diatoms in the sand.
I gotta admit, the last bulb reached a year old before replacing, and I just can't remember seeing this occur last time.
Two days later its still just a little in the sand, but not increasing.
I seem to remember it being a matter of a few days in the past experiences.

Anyone to share their views ?? ~ Thanks

acropora213 · #2 03/14/2007, 07:23 AM

Good morning folks , please give a repsonse

Sorry for the silly question

Overland04 · #3 03/14/2007, 08:12 AM

was there anything that you changed besides the lights? recent water change, new fish, dead fish, overfeeding or natral light from the time change?

acropora213 · #4 03/14/2007, 08:32 AM

Only other thing, was a cap full of some Zooplex, which I got the same day.

acropora213 · #5 03/15/2007, 09:01 AM

24 hours as a thread, and I get one response.

Wish it was a more riveting subject for you all....

Overland04 · #6 03/15/2007, 12:17 PM

Hey man I'm sorry about the long delay but i'm tryin to help you out here....I dont know much about the subject besides when I had the problem It was because of my water was loaded with silicates..It lasted about 2 weeks after I found out what was wrong. With your case i'm not really sure but I'll bump you up to let other people see it.
Good Luck!!

acropora213 · #7 03/15/2007, 02:57 PM

what removes silicates besides skimming, carbon, and water changes ??

acropora213 · #8 03/15/2007, 03:01 PM

Its a strange occurance.
I also sometimes see the finest white barely noticable fuzz on some spots of the rocks, does not seem to affect anything, but I have no idea why its there.

For an idea of my tanks progress, I've noticed about twenty little spots all over the tank where my one little frag of Poccilipora has budded !!!

That may not be a good feeling for some, but for me its record breaking news...lol

Has anyone had this thin fuzz before ???

And better yet, how common is it to have Poccilipora spread like that !!

team2jndd · #9 03/15/2007, 03:55 PM

It's normal to get a diatom outbreak when you change bulbs or when bulbs become old. Just keep up with your normal maintenence and it should go away. Do you have any cleanup crew that eat diatoms?

acropora213 · #10 03/15/2007, 04:23 PM

Crabs and snails, and my hand lol Its very light anyways.

What about the fuzz, anyone ever see it ??

acropora213 · #11 03/15/2007, 04:24 PM

Diatoms will go away, after how many days on average ??