Removing silicates without using GFO?

[djkms]

Hello,

I am still getting diatoms in my system. I had a buddy come over a few months back and he tested my premade saltwater. I cant remember what the level was but there were silicates in the water. I have a macro algae display tank so GFO is out of the question.

Is there anything else I can use to remove the silica from the water so I dont get this brown crap growing on everything? I do recall reading something about a membrane which will remove silica from the water for a RO unit. My RO is a BRS 5-stage. My TDS reads 0 coming out of the DI however it is my understanding that silica doesnt register on a TDS meter. If the answer is in fact a membrane for my RO/DI unit can you link me one that will work with my BRS unit? For those that would say feed less, no can do, I have to provide enough nutrients in my system so my macros live.


Thanks!
Kris

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I do not think you'll have substantial silicate getting through an RO/DI with 0 ppm TDS, but running two DI's in series will ensure it. SO add a second DI if you only have one, That has other advantages in cost as well, since you can use the DI's more fully.

That said, before doing that you might test the RO/DI water for silicate before worrying about it. The levels matter, not just whether the salt mix has any.

Are you sure what you have are diatoms?

 

[djkms]

Thanks for the reply Randy. Pretty sure its diatoms. The only other thing it could potentially be is dino's but its not stringy nor does it release any gas bubbles. It is exactly like your run of the mil green algae that grows on the glass but brown. I will try to get a picture of it when I get home. Thanks for the suggestion on the double DI.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Some companies (like Spectrapure) sell special DI cartridges for silicate removal, but I'm not sure whether they are any different than their ordinary DI's. In any case, if silciate is getting through what you use now, tha tmight also be worth a try.

FWIW, I dose silicate to my tank.

This has more:

Silica in a Reef Tank
http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2003/feature.htm

 

[mrk88]

Get some snails and hermit crabs they love to eat diatoms

 

[djkms]

Randy,

If its not silicates could it possibly be a side effect of the live phytoplankton I am dosing (nannochloropsis & tetraselmis, 2 cups per day)? The phyto clears the system in 45min though...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Phytoplankton will certainly add nutrients, but I wouldn't expect a lot of silicate from it unless the phytoplankton itself are diatoms of some sort.