Diatoms

[jemaasjr]

I have an algae issue in one of my tanks. I think the core problem is too much exposed dirt in the bottom. Because the tank is heavily planted I can not do much about it without tearing the tank apart, and if I can avoid that I am going to.

Maybe a month or two ago I used some barley straw extract and it really kicked the crap out of the green algae, and for some reason it has not returned. But I now have brown algae-diatoms I guess. The stuff gradually forms a thin layer on the glass that is easily cleaned, but it is a menace on the plants. Changing water more frequently has little effect on it.

My latest idea is to dose the tank with Tetra's Poly-Ethylene (xxxxxxxx xxxx) stuff. It seems to help but I am skeptical it is going to be a cure. The tank has maybe medium light and the algae requires some light to do well.

I wonder, does anybody have any other ideas?

[Dave66]

I believe you have silicates in your tap water, and an alkaline pH, making your tank ideal for Diatoms. What kind of filtration are you using? If a canister filter, you can place a bag of a silicate removal produce within it. Most are based on iron oxide pellets, but some will remove both the excess silicates but also the phosphates that are powering the diatoms. Contact me via PM for brands.

Dave

[jemaasjr]

The water is alkaline, that much is certain. What pops up over at ebay is the Seachem brand of little aluminum spheres. I have my own custom, weird filter set up. If the pellets will stay put resting on some fibrous filter stuff I could use the spheres without difficulty. If you think some other brand or product would be better, kindly bring it up. PM or whatever.

Thanks for the quick response.

[Dave66]

PM has been sent.

Dave