[paul195]

Hi

I'm pretty sure that this is brown algae / diatoms after doing some research but was hoping somebody could give me a second opinion? Been suffering from it ever since I started the tank about 14 months ago.
It's mostly on the back wall, rocks and plant leaves.

I am using tap water in the tank and after reading up, it sounds like it could be due to high Silicate and/or Phosphate content.

I probably won't do anything about it now because I plan to move house soon and that will be the time to re-start the tank - this time I will be using RO water, a UV sterilizer and increasing my lighting levels (from 1.35WPG to more like 2WPG).

Also I was wondering if my substrate (john Innes 3 compost and moler clay) could be a factor ?

Paul

 

[metageologist]

Yes that does appear to be diatoms. And yes clays are composed of silica minerals so it can influence your diatoms.

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[greaser84]

Looks like diatoms to me. I had the same problem, so I tested my tap water and bingo I found the source.

 

[paul195]

What's the best way to avoid this next time ?
to use RO water?

Do you know if there is any good guides on using RO water, as it all seems a bit of a mystery to me at the moment! I understand the concept but not how to install and use the unit..

 

[metageologist]

It is very hard to avoid silica all to gether as it is in nearly all rocks and minerals.

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[paul195]

I was just wondering the best way to keep the levels in check to avoid the diatoms blooming like this, I'm guessing RO would reduce the levels quite considerably ?

 

[greaser84]

It is very hard to avoid silica all to gether as it is in nearly all rocks and minerals.

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I agree. RO water would at least help remove it from the water source.

I was just wondering the best way to keep the levels in check to avoid the diatoms blooming like this, I'm guessing RO would reduce the levels quite considerably ?

It all depends on what your tap water levels are. At my house the silicate level is very high, so when I stopped using my tap water my diatoms went away. Like metageologist said you could have other things in your tank adding to your diatom problem...rocks, minerals, ect...

 

[lostraindrop]

Nerite Snails - Got rid of my diatom problem that I have had for years in just a couple weeks.