Reducing Water Changes During Diatom Bloom

[BigEZ77]

I went to my LFS today who has always been very helpful and informative. Never tried to sell me on anything. They said I'm better off reducing my water changes during a diatom bloom because the salt mix would add more silicate to the tank. They said to only do this as long as my ammonia and Phosphate are in check. However, just about everyone here has suggested increasing water change regime. Any thoughts on my LFS opinion?

I'm about a month and a half now with a diatom bloom and tried everything suggested by members here so looking at all options/opinions.

Thanks

 

[pyithar]

that's what Julian Sprung suggested in his book regarding the control of Dinoflagellates. as for Diatom, if you could limit the introduction of Silicate into the system, or when the Silica presented in your system are used up, you won't have the diatom bloom. the salt mixes might contain small amount of Silica but it won't make a big difference imo. if your tank is fairly new, it will go through different stages of algae. don't add new sand. just keep up with the general husbandry and diatom will go away on its own. make sure you use RO/DI water with tds 0 ppm for both top off and water changes.

 

[JammyBirch]

that's what Julian Sprung suggested in his book regarding the control of Dinoflagellates. as for Diatom, if you could limit the introduction of Silicate into the system, or when the Silica presented in your system are used up, you won't have the diatom bloom. the salt mixes might contain small amount of Silica but it won't make a big difference imo. if your tank is fairly new, it will go through different stages of algae. don't add new sand. just keep up with the general husbandry and diatom will go away on its own. make sure you use RO/DI water with tds 0 ppm for both top off and water changes.

+1, in the grand scheme of things this is normal and something that is going to happen and run it's course.