[Markp80nj]

Well, I see you already have otos, so I'm not gonna be much help.
But I have diatoms since I got into the hobby. (About a year ago)
I did a lot of reading, and got to the same results as you: silicate in the water. Although other sources claim it's from inadequate light.
I don't know yet how to get to the root of the problem, but now I don't want to.
Since I got otos, a couple apple snails, and some ramshorns (which came with some raok's, but I welcome them), my tank has been pretty clean, my plants are green, and I have an endless supply of food for them (otos and snails)
I have a 60 gallon with just two otos, and they do a fine job.
So you should be ok with three otos, and this way you always have food for them.

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[Markp80nj]

So in a way it's good to have brown diatoms since the Otos enjoy eating them. I really think the BA has to do with something in the substrate or the water, but I can't be certain of this. What type of light fixture are you using? I'm using a Fluval Led fixture on my 37 gallon and that's where I get BA. I am using 2x13 watt CFL bulbs on my 10 gallon, which I just setup about a week ago, and I am not getting BA there.

Well, it is good for the otos, but if they're not keeping it under control, you might wanna try to get to the root of the problem.
In my case, it is now under control, so I don't worry about it.
My light is just the one that came with the tank, two t8's @15 watts each.


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