With newly made tanks I heard a way to "season" them. Fill the tank up and
make a brine solution (disolve salt into water until no more will dissolve)
and let it sit over night. I don't know how it works, but it was reccomended
by my tank maufacturer....
"Elaine T" wrote in message
. com...
Justin Boucher wrote:
You may very well have diatoms. This is perfectly normal in a newly set
up
tank. They typically feed off silica as their main food source and once
that is depleted, they will die down. This usually takes a few weeks to
2
months. My 240gal just finished it's diatom cycle and we're near the end
of
the die off. The rocks have their natural color back, the bog wood and
plants are all looking "normal" again. It's really not much to worry
about
unless it lasts for several months. Then it usually means you have
surplus
silica somewhere getting in the water (and no, the silicone adhesive is
not
a source).

Are you sure the silicone adhesive isn't a source of silica in newly
manufactured tanks? I've heard both ways. Either way, I've had the same
experience - diatoms bloom and then die off any any newly setup tank.
They're usually easy to rub off of the glass, decorations and plants like
anubias and the Otocinclus will take care of the rest.

--
__ Elaine T __
__' http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__