55 gallon planted tank progress( for those who care)

Jayy

The tank is coming along fine right now. Last weekend I wanted to add plants, but my mom felt sick, soo no ride. I want to look for driftwood while at my dad's, but other then that I can't do anything. My dad lives 45min away.

Jayy

It's really getting on my nerves! Hopefully it won't last!

Boredomb

Still having problems with Diatoms? How long has this tank been setup and running for?
Btw Diatoms can last up to the first 2 or 3 months of new tanks before it starts to disappear. Well atleast that is my understanding. Now it can last shorter amounts obviously but if it last longer there might be other things contributing to its growth.

Jayy

The tanks been up for about a year, but it has been a VERY slow process. I have some pond snails, I know they love it. I'll try to scape some more off in the morning.

Boredomb

Did the diatoms come after the substrate swap and adding plants or have you had them since day one?

Jayy

I've had them before, but they went away. They came after the plants.

beetlebz

could be the water is dirty, that usually seems to be my problem. I tend to overfeed :\

rjwwrx

I had a problem with the diatoms in my tank for about 6-7 months. They just recently came under control. I wasn't really getting any new diatom growth, but it was still hanging out all over my plants. Mainly my crypts and bacopa. I was in the market for some small catfish, so I picked up 8 otocinclus catfish and within a week all of the brown was gone from my plants. Amazing little vegetarians. Now I extended my light on time by an hour to hopefully encourage a small amount of algae for these guys to feed on. Tank is staying diatom free, at least none I can see before my otos gobble it up.

Jayy

I've had otos in the past, but I didn't want to rush out and get and then the algae clear up. I've heard it's hard to get them to eat wafers.

Boredomb

Yeah I wouldn't buy a fish to "fix" the problem. Its usually never a good idea. I would just give it a little more time and see if it stops spreading. Are you still wiping it off to see if it stops coming back? Btw I have never been able to get mine Otos to eat algea waffers or have never seen them eat any. I just make sure to keep some green algae on the back glass.