Diatoms

Hi. My tank is being overrun by diatoms, to the point that all of the artificial plants, rocks, back of tank are virtually all brown and it's now spreading to the sand. Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, nitrates 5-10, lights on for 8 hours per day. No real plants and is about 70% stocked. The tank has been cycled for about 3 months now and I read that it occurs often during/just after cycling but is it normal after 3 months? I also read that it will eventually go away on its own but it's getting worse and is so ugly, can't stand looking at it. Any suggestions?

Ps There is one of these as the centre piece and removing it to clean it would cause massive disruption and be difficult to put back without trapping fish

http://www.aquariumonline.co.uk/onc_images/product_image/large/2187.jpg

Thanks for the reply Evan. I do have some Otto's but they just hang around on the glass mostly. Never fancied a plec as they get messy and tbh I'm not sure they do like diatoms anyway. I may look at snails if I am sure they eat diatoms but tbh I think I would need so many I may get overrun with them!

If you stay with no live plants, I would reduce the time the lights are on as well.

Had this happen to my tank also. Just gave all the covered ornaments and glass a clean, continually checked my water and kept up with my water changes and it went away.