Diatom takeover.

[Theamazingwalrus]

I am new to fish keeping and have only been running this tank for four months now. It has been completely taken over by diatom algae. I can clean the glass but it is covering the substrate and I'm not sure what to do.

 

[Drx6x]

what's your setup like lights and run time filters, livestock, size tank, water change schedule ? 4 months is usually about past the diatom phase. usually diatoms will go away on their own. post some pics if you can.

 

[Fat Homer]

Agreed with above, need a lot more details if we are to try and help work out why or what might be causing you to see so many diamtoms still...

 

[Theamazingwalrus]

Tank size:10 gallon lighting: I run it from 8am to 9pm not quite sure about the wattage livestock:4 platies waterchanges:25% once a week filtration:It is rated for 20 gallons but im not sure of the flow rate. I cant get any pictures. However i can describe a bit better. The tank {aside from the glass} is completely covered in a thin brown substance that comes off incredibly easy.

 

[Drx6x]

the lights are on way long and will cause a lot of algae issues. generally people don't run the lights more than 9 hours and in some case that's pushing it. i would reduce time lights are on down to 8 hrs and do some gravel vacuuming to get the bulk of the diatoms out.

 

[Pomatomus]

Yes reduce lighting, make sure you aren't overfeeding, and maybe get an algae eater like some otocinclus, a chinese algae eater, or a small species of pleco. Small ramshorn snails should clear it off too.

Might want to have the store run some water chemistry to see if you are overfeeding.

 

[Warborg]

Most of the time blown substance does mean overfeeding. How often are you feeding them?

 

[Yohanon]

Agreed. Overfeeding can exacerbate the issue. My tank is just now getting over some diatom problems that began soon after the tank finished cycling. My approach to dealing with it was to attack it from all directions. I added a phosphate filter to my sump. I also added a hang-on-back filter with UV sterilization to supplement the sump. Add to that a dozen otos, 2 bristlenose plecos and 2 dozen nerite snails. There is still a little bit left that I'm sure the critters will deal with in due time. The tank is looking great now. It is heavily planted. I tested my water parameters yesterday: 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, nitrates are so low, they barely register, ph 7.0. Oh, I forgot, when doing water changes, I run my water through a filter. Our local tap water is rather hard. Diatoms thrive on phosphates and silicates. Find a way to diminish both and your problem should abate. Good luck

 

[Theamazingwalrus]

the lights are on way long and will cause a lot of algae issues. generally people don't run the lights more than 9 hours and in some case that's pushing it. i would reduce time lights are on down to 8 hrs and do some gravel vacuuming to get the bulk of the diatoms out.

Will do

 

[Theamazingwalrus]

Agreed. Overfeeding can exacerbate the issue. My tank is just now getting over some diatom problems that began soon after the tank finished cycling. My approach to dealing with it was to attack it from all directions. I added a phosphate filter to my sump. I also added a hang-on-back filter with UV sterilization to supplement the sump. Add to that a dozen otos, 2 bristlenose plecos and 2 dozen nerite snails. There is still a little bit left that I'm sure the critters will deal with in due time. The tank is looking great now. It is heavily planted. I tested my water parameters yesterday: 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, nitrates are so low, they barely register, ph 7.0. Oh, I forgot, when doing water changes, I run my water through a filter. Our local tap water is rather hard. Diatoms thrive on phosphates and silicates. Find a way to diminish both and your problem should abate. Good luck

I Will filter my water because it is incredibly hard