Instant Ocean and diatoms

[WVNed]

The IO mafia is everywhere.

 

[GoVols]

The IO mafia is everywhere.

Lol!!

 

[jeffp1]

Last time I had diatoms, I changed out DI cartridge with a Silica Buster and diatoms went away. I have used IO for 22 years with no issues.

 

[madweazl]

It is ridiculous. I don't even know why there are other brands of salt made. IO is perfect in every way.

I have Tropic Marin in my tank. I will drain it and sterilize it with fire immediately.

I am sorry.

Admitting you're powerless is the first step to recovery. Well done...

 

[LoneStarReef]

Last time I had diatoms, I changed out DI cartridge with a Silica Buster and diatoms went away. I have used IO for 22 years with no issues.

I think this might be the way to go. Quick question: can I completely replace my DI resin with the silica buster or just have the silica buster cartridge?

 

[LoneStarReef]

Let’s not turn this thread in to a chance to bash IO. My question was just that: a question. All of you have helped me figure out what the potential cause might be. I assumed since the TDS meter read 0, I was okay as far as silicates go. The logical step from there was to examine the salt I was using. However, I now realize silicates might still be entering my RODI water and not be recognized by the TDS meter. Also, I think I remember someone telling me a while back that Dallas tap water is high in silicates. I will try the silica buster and see how it works. No need to bash IO salt anymore. Thanks!

 

[madweazl]

You should be able to pull up your counties water quality report online; it may have some data that is useful.

 

[GoVols]

Let’s not turn this thread in to a chance to bash IO. My question was just that: a question. All of you have helped me figure out what the potential cause might be. I assumed since the TDS meter read 0, I was okay as far as silicates go. The logical step from there was to examine the salt I was using. However, I now realize silicates might still be entering my RODI water and not be recognized by the TDS meter. Also, I think I remember someone telling me a while back that Dallas tap water is high in silicates. I will try the silica buster and see how it works. No need to bash IO salt anymore. Thanks!

No Worries and hope you've found your answer.

 

[WVNed]

I love IO and keep it in my garage.

 

[dragon99]

The icp results indicate instant ocean does indeed contain silicates. That said I use it myself as do so many others that I wouldn't consider it to be a major problem.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/saltmix-parameters-bring-on-the-test-results.233233/

 

[biophilia]

How old is your tank and are you sure it's diatoms? Cyanobacteria can be rust-colored and be easily mistaken for diatoms and is more likely what it is if in an older tank. If your tank is only a few months old, it probably just doesn't have enough benthic sponge growth to rapidly consume the silica -- in which case beefing up your cleanup crew and focusing on limiting one of the other macro-nutrients required by diatom algae (phosphate, especially) will probably do more good than trying to limit silica input -- which is probably not all that much unless you're doing huge water changes with unfiltered tap water. I intentionally dose 3ppm+ silica per week to my tank and don't have diatom issues, but find that they begin to appear if my phosphate gets above 0.05ppm or so...

 

[madweazl]

The icp results indicate instant ocean does indeed contain silicates. That said I use it myself as do so many others that I wouldn't consider it to be a major problem.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/saltmix-parameters-bring-on-the-test-results.233233/

Does it?

 

[Flippers4pups]

I've used IO for a decade with no issues. Silicates can come from sand, rock (especially dry mined rock) and can get through your RO/DI unit. Little comes from food.

 

[cracker]

The report typically list levels of chemical detected. Undetected chemicals are not listed. If you have any more questions let me know.
This is a quote from my Water company. Contact ,E/m them. They will gladly answer Your question. Make sure You tell them why you want to know. This will let Ya know if your water supply has high silicates.
There are other reasons for the diatoms.

 

[madweazl]

 

[chinw76]

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vide...when-di-resin-is-depleted-brstv-investigates/


Watch these videos from bulk reef supply before you buy any resin. This will help explain how di works and even 0 tds means there can be ammonia and silica.

 

[chinw76]

here is the first one, this goes to youtube.

 

[chinw76]

I went with their pro series and doubled up with 2 of their systems. No silicants or ammonia will get threw.

 

[LoneStarReef]

How old is your tank and are you sure it's diatoms? Cyanobacteria can be rust-colored and be easily mistaken for diatoms and is more likely what it is if in an older tank. If your tank is only a few months old, it probably just doesn't have enough benthic sponge growth to rapidly consume the silica -- in which case beefing up your cleanup crew and focusing on limiting one of the other macro-nutrients required by diatom algae (phosphate, especially) will probably do more good than trying to limit silica input -- which is probably not all that much unless you're doing huge water changes with unfiltered tap water. I intentionally dose 3ppm+ silica per week to my tank and don't have diatom issues, but find that they begin to appear if my phosphate gets above 0.05ppm or so...

Tank is about 9 months old. Here is a pic

 

[biophilia]

Tank is about 9 months old. Here is a pic

Cyanobacteria has always been rust-colored like that in my tank and grown primarily on the glass and sand rather than the rockwork. When I get diatom blooms after dosing especially high silica concentrations, it shows up on my rockwork first and tends to be slightly more yellow/gold than in that photo. Totally anecdotal and just my opinion... but given the age of your tank I'd guess that's one of the many species of cyano. You could always pick up a silica test kit if in doubt, though. The reason I'm skeptical that it's diatoms is that most established tanks will see almost all of their free silica used almost as quickly as it's added because sponges in the rockwork can pull it out of the water extremely fast.

If it is cyano, Chemiclean works wonders and is usually reef-safe if not dosed in excess, in a well-oxygenated tank, and followed by a large water change. Some people have reported fish losses, though that seems to be rare.