I backed off the lighting and stepped up the phosphate removal. It
seems better already as if the growth had burned itself out or at least
giving more time for the clean up crew to work.

I'm now able to use the magnet cleaner to sweep the glass clean where
before I had to use a razor blade to chisel it off. So, the growth is
not nearly as robust as it was.

I was also able to find sulphur beads for a nitrate reactor. I should
have it setup in a week or two and then it takes several weeks to
culture the bacteria. I should have the nitrate beat in another month
or so even if the 100#'s of live rock doesn't do it.

--Kurt



KurtG wrote:

I have a really bad case of diatoms (or algae) growing. I added the
lights and 30# of rock a few weeks ago.

I was expecting my nitrates to be off the map, but they aren't bad.
Maybe about 30 ppm which isn't good, but good for me.

I switched to using distilled water until I get my RO/DI filter setup.
So, I don't think that it's silicates, but I have no way of testing for
that.

Last water change was two weeks ago, so I'll go ahead and mix up some
water.

My phosphates are better. Not great, but I've been using phosphate
beads and the levels have been settling.

I also have lots of bubble formation. I assume this is O2 from
photosynthesis.

So, how do I curb the growth?

--Kurt