silicate in reef tank

[toothman]

I know this is right up you alley.

I would like to make a diy solution of sodium silicate. Is sodium silicate the same or have same application as sodium metasilicate. On line there is sodium metasilicate 1 lb for $12. I did see the link for the gallon of sodium silicate, just thought it would be easier to store a small container and mix up powder.

Does salifert si test accurately or do I need a hach.

Unsure what your thoughts today on diatoms and si, sponge

 

[bertoni]

I haven't used the Salifert silicate test for a long time. It might be fine. The Hach is likely to be very good.

I dosed silicate for a number of years, but I didn't see anything change all that much, although sponges might have done better. The tank wasn't having algal issues, so I didn't see any uptick in diatoms.

Sodium metasilicate should be fine. Any form of sodium silicate likely is okay, although we might have to do some experiments to get the correct dosage. I just bought waterglass, myself.

 

[alexander_ktn]

I use sodium metasilicate for culturing diatoms at 30 grams per 1000 liter culture medium per batch. The resulting values might be very high for a reef tank, but should give you at least a ballpark maximum figure of the amounts required.