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Diatoms, diatoms, diatoms!!!!

N

Nick Medakovic

Seedling
Joined
9 Apr 2020
Messages
1
Location
Worcester
Hi guys.
Firstly I am new to this lovely hobby and what a hobby it is!
Had my 110l scape set up for three months now and I've suffered with diatoms for atleast 6 weeks. I dose tropica specialised 1 pump a day, I would say its a low energy system however the plants haven't really responded well at all. I used to have co2 injection however my regulator broke but I had diatoms prior to this so this is not the cause. Lights on a timer for 8 hours a day, 50 percent water change weekly and stocked with cherry barbs, shrimp and rasboras. My nitrate levels are at 40ppm before I change the water, ammonia is very low and the tank is cycled. The hardscape seems to not have many diatoms on but the carpet plants and anubias are covered, removing the plants and cleaning it off twice a week! Please help!
 
I had a similar problem and had to remove Anubias regularly for cleaning. I then got some shrimp and they seem to have got rid of it. They also did the same with Algae on the bogwood.
 
Regular 50% water changes (at least weekly, ideally twice weekly and even go for 70-80% changes of you can) and get some amano shrimp. I'd go for 10-12 in that size tank. Then just ride it out
 
Hi all,
jaypeecee said:
You may find it helpful to take a look at:
Click to expand...
Ramshorn snails definitely eat diatoms. I've got a lot of time for Aquasabi, but the bits about silicon dioxide in the diatom article aren't right.

You'll find it repeated all over the internet, often with links to <"testing kits">, but the silicon dioxide (SiO2) in sand, glass, quartz, <"granite">, <"kitty litter"> etc just isn't soluble, so why would the silicon dioxide in tap water be any different? It is back to <"dihydrogen monoxide"> or <"werewolves">.

Diatoms <"need silica in the form of orthosilic acids to make their frustules">, any other form just isn't soluble and they can't use it.

cheers Darrel
 
Orthosilicic acid (H4SiO4) is in tap water and coats the insides of water distillation equipment and I assume steam boilers in power plants. However never found a problem at fish tank temperatures. The only diatoms I have found are in the inside of the lav flush tank. Tried to grow them but without much success. Not much help to the original posting. Keep a stiff upper lip and see you all at the other end of these trying times. Has Spring finely arrived, heard my fourth lawn mower (in the past month) today.
 
dw1305 said:
I've got a lot of time for Aquasabi, but the bits about silicon dioxide in the diatom article aren't right.
Click to expand...

And, now that you've pointed this out, @dw1305, it makes complete sense what you are saying. How on earth (!) could sand dissolve in water under 'normal' conditions? Darrel, may I suggest that you point this out to them? It annoys me when companies disseminate incorrect, totally misleading information. The hobby can well do without this.

JPC
 
Hi all,
Oldguy said:
Orthosilicic acid (H4SiO4) is in tap water and coats the insides of water distillation equipment and I assume steam boilers in power plants.
Click to expand...
It does. I think as temperature, alkalinity and pressure increase SiO2 becomes more soluble.

SiO2(s) + 2H2O(l) ↔ H4SiO4(aq)

There are traces of <"orthosilicic acid in nearly all water">, we know that because pretty much anywhere with liquid water has diatoms, and they are incredibly good at extracting silicon from water.

cheers Darrel
 
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