RO/DI removing Silicates

[Vmacisback]

Does anyone know which part in my RODI setup removes silicates? I have a 4 stage setup with 2 additional DI units. I just replaced all 4 stages and the DI resin in the last 2 units looks fresh. Before all this it seemed like i was getting brown stringy algae on my sand bed in a low nutrient tank. Any input would help, thanks.

 

[Vmacisback]

anyone?

 

[ilovereefing <3]

I think it's the RO membrane and DI resin that removes the silicates. I read about it here: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-05/rhf/index.php. The thing is, I don't think diatoms typically look stringy, it tends to look more "dusty". Are you sure it isn't cyano or dinoflagellates? Do you notice any bubbles in the "algae" when the lights are on?

 

[Vmacisback]

No bubbles

 

[ilovereefing <3]

Hmmm...could be cyano. Did you happen to get any pictures of it?

 

[Vmacisback]

I know what cyano looks like, it may be similar. I think it's coming from my water source for the fact that I have it in both my tanks. 1 is only weeks old the other is over a year old.

 

[ilovereefing <3]

Yeah, I've been battling it for a couple of months in mine, and it's about 9 months old now. It has gotten considerably better, but it's still frustrating.