Silicon, Diatom Algae, and LifeRock

[Briskee]

Hey All - just trying to chase down an idea here. I've been dealing with a GHA outbreak lately. Is there any correlation between silicon, diatom algae, and/or GHA? I sent a water sample to ATI. The reported critically high levels of Silion and some other findings about dosing. GHA was growing on my LifeRock; some rocks were completely covered. I noticed after removing some of the rocks for cleaning that my glass stays cleaner much longer (maybe 7-8 days instead of 5). Before I go down the rabbit hole of cleaning, dosing, etc., I wanted to ask if I was on the right track with this idea. For the GHA, I've tried all the usual routes, cleaner crew and weekly water changes, but the only thing that has had any long term effect is removing the rock. I've read here there are mixed opinions on LifeRock leeching, but it that a reasonable place to start? I don't run carbon in my sump. Would that help? Does silicon really matter that much? Anyway, I'm going to change out my RO/DI filter, take another water sample and see where I'm at.

 

[Wrothgar]

Hey All - just trying to chase down an idea here. I've been dealing with a GHA outbreak lately. Is there any correlation between silicon, diatom algae, and/or GHA? I sent a water sample to ATI. The reported critically high levels of Silion and some other findings about dosing. GHA was growing on my LifeRock; some rocks were completely covered. I noticed after removing some of the rocks for cleaning that my glass stays cleaner much longer (maybe 7-8 days instead of 5). Before I go down the rabbit hole of cleaning, dosing, etc., I wanted to ask if I was on the right track with this idea. For the GHA, I've tried all the usual routes, cleaner crew and weekly water changes, but the only thing that has had any long term effect is removing the rock. I've read here there are mixed opinions on LifeRock leeching, but it that a reasonable place to start? I don't run carbon in my sump. Would that help? Does silicon really matter that much? Anyway, I'm going to change out my RO/DI filter, take another water sample and see where I'm at.

So I too am struggled with gha and red cyano bacteria, the only thing that tends to help me is to do a light mixture of hydrogen peroxide and rodi water and scrub the surface of the Rock and rinse it off in old water, it'll stay off of me for about 2 weeks I'll do 1% water changes every week and dose nitrobacter and starter bacteria I think what's happening here is we're losing the beneficials due to parameter fluctuation. Get a solid ATO and dose that good refrigerated starter bacteria make sure you have enough livestock to keep the N cycle going as well. I'm 5 years in and I still deal with it.

 

[Wrothgar]

Hey All - just trying to chase down an idea here. I've been dealing with a GHA outbreak lately. Is there any correlation between silicon, diatom algae, and/or GHA? I sent a water sample to ATI. The reported critically high levels of Silion and some other findings about dosing. GHA was growing on my LifeRock; some rocks were completely covered. I noticed after removing some of the rocks for cleaning that my glass stays cleaner much longer (maybe 7-8 days instead of 5). Before I go down the rabbit hole of cleaning, dosing, etc., I wanted to ask if I was on the right track with this idea. For the GHA, I've tried all the usual routes, cleaner crew and weekly water changes, but the only thing that has had any long term effect is removing the rock. I've read here there are mixed opinions on LifeRock leeching, but it that a reasonable place to start? I don't run carbon in my sump. Would that help? Does silicon really matter that much? Anyway, I'm going to change out my RO/DI filter, take another water sample and see where I'm at.

And yes silicone does have direct influence on diatom growth and hair algae however it will also aid corals and sponges get something that will eat that stuff up like a sponge some reefers have to dose silicates because of the stocks consumption.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

How old is the tank? If it isnt mature, scrubbing your rock clean every few days is simply a waste of time. Its also counterproductive because you're cleaning a surface thats practically clean already, which leads to algal growth.

 

[Briskee]

What would you consider a mature tank? My tank is about 2 years old. The first year there were no major issues except what you'd usually see in a new cycling tank. Rock was cleaner, measurements were inline. I don't test for silicon, only NO3, Ca, PO4, and kH. All have been within expected levels. My corals are doing well. If silicon levels are high after water changes, that would me my RODI isn't doing it's job right? BTW, I have a well and a filtration system in front of the RODI. I even decrease the duration of light in the tank.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

What would you consider a mature tank? My tank is about 2 years old. The first year there were no major issues except what you'd usually see in a new cycling tank. Rock was cleaner, measurements were inline. I don't test for silicon, only NO3, Ca, PO4, and kH. All have been within expected levels. My corals are doing well. If silicon levels are high after water changes, that would me my RODI isn't doing it's job right? BTW, I have a well and a filtration system in front of the RODI. I even decrease the duration of light in the tank.

If your tank was doing well and now it isn't, that makes it easier to pinpoint the issue. Something must have changed, whether it be parameters, your filter getting old, a certain food you began feeding, etc.

 

[Briskee]

If your tank was doing well and now it isn't, that makes it easier to pinpoint the issue. Something must have changed, whether it be parameters, your filter getting old, a certain food you began feeding, etc.

The only thing that hasn't changed in a while is the RODI filters. Ordered those, will swap out next week. I'll post changes after the filters have been swapped and a new water test is completed.