Brown Diatom/Algae during cycle

[ktipp]

Im currently cycling however I have brown diatom with lilttle bubbles all over the place. Sand has brown as well.

What is the best way to clean this brown during cycle? I have tried the plastic turkey baster but it is not strong enough.

Also, I need a quiet skimmer because this tank is in my bedroom.

Your thoughts?

Thanks
KT

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28g CF-QUAD Nano Cube
26 pounds live rock with sand bed
started 5/20/2012

[allan]

The brown stuff will go away. I'm assuming you knew that since you said "during cycle", yet outside waiting it out I don't really have a suggestion. Is there any particular reason you don't want to just ride it out?

How big is your tank? I've got a skimmer on mine and the only thing that makes noise is the pump, or when the water out of the skimmer is above the water's surface. Never mind, I'm an idiot. Is that a biocube? I didn't think those skimmers made any noise.

[Cammed_02]

Use a gravel siphon hose to clean the sand bed, it's a lot faster than using a turkey baster. All you can do is ride out the algae bloom and get a better clean up crew.

[Big_Pun]

if your not running a good skimmer the diatoms will just keep coming back. usually they go away on their own or as your clean crew stirs them up. get some snails.

[ktipp]

Thanks

[klwheat]

The diatom feed on silicates in the sand/rock you started with. Once the silica is gone (usually a week or 2) the diatom will be gone as well. As long as you don't add sand/tap water/or anything else with silica...you should never see diatoms again. Just wait, and it will disappear - happens in all new tanks. As far as skimmer - I have an aquaeuro nano skimmer in my JBJ 28g cube. It's fairly quiet...but not the best skimmer around either. Once broken it, and adjusted (lots of trial and error) it does okay though.

[BBQHILLBILLY]

Are you using tap water?

[ktipp]

No, using RO.

[klwheat]

just give it a bit. It'll probably get a little worse (brown/orange and NASTY looking) then it'll die off over a few days. No biggie.

[BBQHILLBILLY]

No, using RO.

check tds. What reading do you get?