Newbie's Dsb Question

[visor]

the DSB in my 2ft tank is covered with diatoms - thinking of scooping up the top layer of the DSB, maybe around half inches, & replacing with new sand. Question: how will that affect my water parameter? how should i prepare the sand to minimize problem? just can't stand the sight of the brownish layer on the DSB

[diabolus]

i dun think scooping away that layer of sand will get rid of ur diatom.

i think u really need help.

try this...

1900 911 TANZY

[delirium]

From what i read they will soon go away if its a new tank or get cleaning crew if im not wrong. Need to wait for the more experiance ones to answer.

[junyong84]

get snails or some kind of fishes that would eat alage...

[SpiderOne]

u scoop out the sand. in a few days. back to square one. so juz save your trouble and wait for the phospates and silicates to burn up. or get rowaphos to help it burn up faster

[KingFish]

Assuming you understand the fundamentals of a DSB; its minumum depth and grain size, etc. Using it in a 2ft may not be really effective due to its surface area. NO3 export may be better achieved through regular water changes. Prevention of it can be achieved through protein skimming.

The existence of Diatom has little or no relations to your DSB, unless perhaps the sand you are using is silica-based.

Diatoms and other nuisance algae is part of the 'new tank symptoms', and you'll just have to let it burn out its fuel.

If you have recurring nuisance algae problem, try addressing the problem; the availability to its fuel for growth.

Getting SeaChem Phosguard, RowaPhos, and lately hyped ContraPhos, helps to cut back its fuel. The suggestion of it helping to burn its fuel is not correct as its reduces the Phospate buy absorbing it into the media, not assisting its usage.

Silica & phosphates may also be present in your topup water, so you can try using RO/DI unit to filter those out.