Nassarius Snails – stir the sandbed to prevent buildup
Trochus Snails – clean glass and hard surfaces
Astrea Snails – excellent at scraping film and dust
Lettuce Nudibranch (optional) – helps in low-flow zones
Diatom Algae
Bacillariophyta
Deep Dive
Species data
🟤 Diatom Algae (Silica-Based Microalgae)
Scientific Name: Bacillariophyta
Common Name: Diatoms, Brown Dust Algae
Appearance: Light to dark brown powdery coating on glass, rock, or sand
Reef Safe: ⚠️ Harmless but unsightly
Temperament: Opportunistic early colonizer
Diet: Photosynthetic, thrives on silicates and light
Tank Role: Natural part of new tank cycling
Description
🔍 Description:
Diatoms are one of the first types of algae to appear in new saltwater aquariums, forming a dusty brown or golden coating on rock, glass, sand, and equipment. They’re fueled primarily by silicates in the water and commonly show up during the first 1–3 months of a tank's life.
Although diatoms are not harmful, their appearance can be alarming for new hobbyists. Fortunately, they are usually short-lived and naturally fade as the tank matures — especially with the right clean-up crew and good water quality.
Why it Appears
✅ Why They Appear:
New Tank Syndrome: Most common in freshly set-up systems
High Silicates: Often from tap water or certain types of sand
Low Biodiversity: Early tank stages lack competing organisms
Strong Lighting: Accelerates photosynthesis
Best Predator
🧽 Best Cleanup Crew for Diatoms:
Cerith Snails – great sand and glass grazers
Nassarius Snails – stir the sandbed to prevent buildup
Trochus Snails – clean glass and hard surfaces
Astrea Snails – excellent at scraping film and dust
Lettuce Nudibranch (optional) – helps in low-flow zones
Notes
⚠️ Notes for Success:
Use RO/DI Water: Avoid tap water to limit silicates
Don’t Overreact: Diatoms usually resolve on their own with time
Avoid Overcleaning: Let the biofilter mature; resist scrubbing every day
Boost Competition: Introduce microfauna and macroalgae to reduce available resources
Pro tip
🧠 Pro Tip:
Diatoms are part of a healthy cycling process. Think of them as the reef’s training wheels — unsightly, but temporary. The right crew will help clear them up without chemicals or disruption.
Species data
Description
Why it Appears
Best Predator
Notes
Pro tip
