Cycling a new tank

[lilrobb]

...okay,

probably a question I could have asked when I got into this hobby initially...

WHAT exactly causes the initial (!) diatom bloom?

 

[fish scales2]

Combination of several things. First the ammonia cycle (nitrites and nitrates) cause the initial food source if you will and then the fact that silicates are present and DOCs as well will cause the initial bloom. The turn around or sucession of diatom bloom is set off by the balance of bacterias raising and available doc (dissolved organic compounds) decreasing.

Diatoms present after several months are created by nitrate, doc or silicates. Anyone using tap will have them.

These are my instinctual thoughts, so feel free to prove me wrong with documentation.

 

[ichthyoid]

Not looking to 'prove' anyone either right nor wrong, but offer the following links for reference. The first is an article by Randy Holmes-Farley a chemist/hobbyist. The second is a great reference point article for things diatom related. The second one, I think, offers a good perspective on this issue, and some good academic links as well. Hope this helps...

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2003/feature.htm">http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2003/feature.htm</a>

and

[IMG]http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/algae/diatoms.shtml">http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/algae/diatoms.shtml</a>

 

[buddyro]

<span style="font-size: 13px">+1 <span style="color: #22229c">Ichthyroid it just help me understand...:up:</span></span></em>

 

[cr500_af]

Gosh, Rob, ya noob, do a search!