Nano Lagoon (14): BIG Diatom Bloom

http://www.ipsf.com Just ten days after adding the NanoStart microorganism kit to our lifeless Nano Lagoon marine aquarium we observe a classic diatom bloom on the rocks and sand.

The tank now has a developing population of beneficial microorganisms. These include bacteria, protozoans, diatoms, microphytoplankton and microzooplankton.

The NanoStart kit comes with these components, plus nutrients and a Coralline Algae Booster Plate which we've placed into the hang-on filter box.

We want the succession of life forms in our Nano Lagoon to mimic that which occurs on bare substrates on natural coral reefs. So far we are on schedule with the diatom bloom, which normally occurs within about two weeks of adding the first marine microorganisms.

Note that by using dry rock and sand plus a microorganism startup kit we have eliminated the tedious rock curing, the mass invertebrate die off and the toxic ammonia spike normally associated with wild live rock.

We have done no seawater changes since starting the tank with Instant Ocean sea salt.

Using dry, man-made rock saves time, labor and money. It makes great environmental sense because it does not require harvesting wild rock and air freighting it halfway around the world while most of the associated organisms die in transit.

Our 40-watt light unit was late to arrive for this demonstration, so for the 10-day startup period we relied on indirect natural lighting to grow our diatoms. At home you would use 40 watts of PC lighting, with 50/50 10,000 K/actinic bulbs, on a 12/12 day/night cycle.

We will discuss pros and cons of various artificial lighting options in upcoming videos, including an inexpensive DIY system and a more expensive off-the-shelf unit.

Please use only captive-bred organisms in your reef aquarium.

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Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• ipsf.com
• Indo-Pacific Sea Farms
• Nano Lagoon
• diatom bloom
• marine succession

[iMilkshake2000]

You sound like someone famous... Tom Hanks? .... :P you do sound like him!...

[ipsfdotcom]

@iMilkshake2000 I am someone famous! And who is this Hanks character that sounds like me??

[AntonyTrickrider]

Does it speed up the proses by placing the tank in the sun?

[ipsfdotcom]

@AntonyTrickrider it's not necessary, but 4 watts per gal PC lighting works fine

[girolle01]

Does anyone know of a method of how to collect them? I'm doing a study. The only method I've used that is partially successful is by taking them up with a pipette (but it appears that they kind of "rupture").

[ipsfdotcom]

Try using a plastic turkey baster -- it has a larger bore than a pipette and it's softer.

[markrose21]

no he sounds like collin hanks, tom hanks/ kid

[MrBelly209]

Were can I get some coralite plating

[kimikozembower]

great channel :D

[300pzl]

it seems like these diatoms only like to grow on calcium rich rocks.

[lexandra101]

Need some tips. Love your videos and was looking @ your site. I have a 75gl, planning on putting LR from LFS(I have Dry sand). i was looking at the Live sand activator and Mud you have.Would I be better off to start with a micro organism startup kit?