Diatom

Question
Hello,  I've had a Red Sea Max for 13 Months and have a nasty Diatom problem.  I've done a 50% water change quite a few times and within a day its back.  I was wondering about mangroves.  I have the lights on about six hours a day and the nitrate is at about 15ppm.  Any help would be of great help.  Thank you,  Dale

Answer
Hello Dale,

Diatoms are a pita...

What water are you using for top off or for mixing saltwater???  if the water is high in phosphates or other dissolved solids then they would be a huge contributor to the diatom problem...

Also older lights or lights in a more 'yellow' spectrum tend to contribute as well,  

If you want to try some mangroves, that would be fine, but i doubt that is the solution...

You can try some phosphate removers... they make all kinds... and most are placed into filter socks and placed in a high flow area... Or you can get media reactors for the use of different things, i.e. carbon, phosban, etc...


Let me know about the water and we can work on a good direction for you...


bill