Diatomic Algae

[Matty P]

Does anyone know what actually causes diatomic algae?

Insufficient lighting / too much lighting?
Low O2 levels?
Silicates?
Poor circualtion?
High phosphates/nitrites/nitrates?

Or combinations of these?

Cheers

 

[steelhealr]

It's a combination of things. Diatoms are ubiquitous. In general, they seem to be around when nitrates or nutrient levels are higher than normal. They aren't 'bad' per se, but, when you see them increasing, it is an indicator to check into your water quality. SH

 

[Lynden]

As explained in my other post, I would guess a new chemical got into the system and killed the competitors, plus gave diatoms a whole new source of energy.

 

[Matty P]

Yeh I used to have lots of macroalgae but it's all died off. Grr this is soo anoying

 

[Lynden]

From a guy that's had three tank crashes... tell me about it.

 

[Matty P]

How big were the tank(s)?

 

[Lynden]

55 gallons... all were FOWLR, no corals. The first crash (only two months into marine) was due to an ich/gill fluke outbreak; a green chromis survived this.. The second was from a dodgy water conditioner breaking the bond between chlorine and ammonia, causing a massive ammonia spike; this was the worst crash and every visible multicellular animal, including hundreds of bristleworms but barring a peanut worm, perished. The third was due to an outbreak of several strange diseases, one which remains unidentified. A sailfin tang survived this one but I gave him away to a guy with a bigger tank.