Diatom question

[Toolfan333]

Hi, I’m just curious about this. I’ve read that diatoms grow when they’re feeding on silicates. I have a new FOWLR about 2 weeks old and I’m having diatoms now. I’m confused because this tank was an African rift tank that had been up for nearly 3 years and already went through a diatom phase a long time ago. When I switched it over to a FOWLR , i removed the Africans, did a 100% WC and just added salt and a mix of live rock and base rock, but kept the Argonite substrate. The diatoms are only growing on the sand, not the rocks, so what are they feeding on if the silicates have already been consumed?

 

[Reefing_addiction]

What makes you think the silicates have been consumed?
Depending of which salt you used there was probably some level of silicates in the mix.

 

[Toolfan333]

What makes you think the silicates have been consumed?
Depending of which salt you used there was probably some level of silicates in the mix.

Thanks! I had assumed silicates came from the substrate/ decor and that had been consumed years ago

 

[Reefing_addiction]

Thanks! I had assumed silicates came from the substrate/ decor and that had been consumed years ago

Well you added rocks too they could be coming from that…but this is all part of the ugly stages…..hopefully it settles quickly

 

[Toolfan333]

Well you added rocks too they could be coming from that…but this is all part of the ugly stages…..hopefully it settles quickly

Im very familiar with the ugly phase lol
But ya you’re probably right, the diatoms are growing on the sand only but it’s probably because of where current is blowing stuff off of the rock