Let the diatom bloom finish. It is a food source for your growing bacteria,
another part of a natural cycle in a new tank. Silicates is not an issue with
your setup. (Don't forget, my DSB is silica sand and I'm not having any
problems.

After a few weeks, just siphon out what is unsightly, and it won't be back.

You don't need to buy replacement shells yet, but you can find more at the LFS
in baggies for a few dollars. You'll need them in a few months, I'd guess.

Marc


Bob Parkins wrote:

Sould I be throwing in flake food now?
I have been "raking" out diatoms like crazy! Why? I use a 5stage RO/DI...
how do Silicates get in !!??

Marc Levenson wrote in message
...
Odds are it was a molt. And when you feed your tank, start counting when
activity peaks. Or check at night with a flashlight when they are
busiest.

Marc


Bob Parkins wrote:

I got my first shipment of Scarlet hermits and emerald crabs. I know
they
will occasionally molt and have been told they will look like a dead
crab,
so I have been keeping an eye out for this. I found one of my hermits
on a
rock without a shell.... the back end looked long and translucent-like.
I
wasn't sure if it came out to die or if this was the infamous molt.
Next
thing I know an emerald was snacking on it... looked like it was eating
flesh. My guess is it was dead and being eaten. Now I am concerned
about
all my others... they are all of a sudden difficult to find. I find
legs or
pinchers here and there and say a little prayer for my little buddies.
What
do you guys think is happening? Does anyone have a pick of a molt and
hermit out of its shell?

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Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com