Diatom Algae

[thomas138]

Ive been having a problem with diatom algae in my 30g alott lately, it comes in phases and now is one of the worst. :shout: the best way to describe the way it looks is a light rust colored tint to the sand.

ive tried keeping lights to a bare minimum. ive even gotten another powerhead and have arranged them a few times trying to find the way to keep debris from sitting on the sand.

has anyone had major problems with this? please let me know of any ideas to help.

 

[thomas138]

dawgdude;418862 wrote: Silica is coming from somewhere and fueling it. Are you using RODI? I would also try to use something to lower silica in the tank as well so you can remove whats already there.

im using RODI everyweek with everywater change...any chance you could explain the silica thing? i did a few searches but couldnt find much on it regarding aquariums

 

[oil_fan]

Silica is what feed diatoms. Actually it's the shell of the stuff. What I've seen here at my house is when the membrane of my RO/DI unit weakens, then the silica starts to punch it's way through. And then I get diatoms.

 

[oil_fan]

Just to add, Salifert makes a silicate test kit. If you get a reading on your RO/DI water, then you know to replace the membrane.

 

[thomas138]

alright thanks much for for that info.

The ro/di water i use is from the LFS, i sort of feel that if thats where the problem lies, its outta my control..ive thought about getting my own ro/di unit, if the problem keeps up i just might to see if that helps, plus its worth it anyways.

 

[thomas138]

ive read alot of good things about that unit, when i get one that will be my choice.

thanks for the reccomendation

 

[thomas138]

perfect, thankyou dawgdude.

 

[oil_fan]

I know PhosBan by Seachem removes silica.

 

[ls1boost]

I used the seachem phosban and cleared the brown stuff in no time at all

 

[thomas138]

PhosBan by Seachem it is, thanks for thehelp everyone.

 

[ls1boost]

let me correct something phosban is not made by seachem its phosguard I have used both but the phosguard was easier to use because the granuals wernt so small. sorry for the error I just got home and looked at the bottle.

 

[thomas138]

ls1boost;419262 wrote: let me correct something phosban is not made by seachem its phosguard I have used both but the phosguard was easier to use because the granuals wernt so small. sorry for the error I just got home and looked at the bottle.

thankyou! this has to explain why when i was searching on seachems website for phosban i had no luck..well in this case, phosguard it is.

thanks :thumbs:

 

[oil_fan]

Thomas138;419268 wrote: thankyou! this has to explain why when i was searching on seachems website for phosban i had no luck..well in this case, phosguard it is.

thanks :thumbs:

Yep...he's right. My bad too!! I was just going off the top of my head.