Silicate dosing to combat dinoflagellates

[RobertK]

I have recently started dosing 40% sodium silicate as part of an ongoing effort against Amphidinium and Ostreopsis dinoflagellates in my tank. I've read as much as I can on this subject and it seems that maintaining a silicate level of 1-2 ppm is a reasonable target range. I bought a Hanna silica checker, which has an upper detection limit of 2 ppm (as SiO2). I started with the dose in Miami Reef's dosing chart and it got me to the middle of that range, but it was below 1 ppm the next day and completely depleted back to the baseline level (~0.2 ppm) in 2 days. So it appears I need to dose it daily or every other day to keep it in that range. Does that sound right? Thank you!

 

[Dan_P]

I have recently started dosing 40% sodium silicate as part of an ongoing effort against Amphidinium and Ostreopsis dinoflagellates in my tank. I've read as much as I can on this subject and it seems that maintaining a silicate level of 1-2 ppm is a reasonable target range. I bought a Hanna silica checker, which has an upper detection limit of 2 ppm (as SiO2). I started with the dose in Miami Reef's dosing chart and it got me to the middle of that range, but it was below 1 ppm the next day and completely depleted back to the baseline level (~0.2 ppm) in 2 days. So it appears I need to dose it daily or every other day to keep it in that range. Does that sound right? Thank you!

Seems like a reasonable conclusion

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Diatoms, which are the reason to add silicate in relation to dinos, rapidly deplete added silicate. :)

 

[RobertK]

Diatoms, which are the reason to add silicate in relation to dinos, rapidly deplete added silicate. :)

Yes I am seeing evidence of that! I posted this because I saw it recommended in a couple of places to dose silicate weekly, but it appears more frequent dosing is required to maintain a level >1 ppm.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes I am seeing evidence of that! I posted this because I saw it recommended in a couple of places to dose silicate weekly, but it appears more frequent dosing is required to maintain a level >1 ppm.

Yes, I found that it rapidly depleted. Maintaining a specific level is not the goal. Diatom growth is, so dosing is needed, but not a specific maintenance level.

 

[RobertK]

Yes, I found that it rapidly depleted. Maintaining a specific level is not the goal. Diatom growth is, so dosing is needed, but not a specific maintenance level.

Yes but if we are trying to accelerate diatom growth above what occurs at baseline silicate level (0.15-0.2 ppm in my tank according to Hanna) don't we want to maintain a level greater than baseline?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes but if we are trying to accelerate diatom growth above what occurs at baseline silicate level (0.15-0.2 ppm in my tank according to Hanna) don't we want to maintain a level greater than baseline?

I don’t know what baseline really means. I expect silicate will deplete below reliable levels of detection as diatoms consume it. But I’m not saying it is not worth dosing repeatedly. In my old tank I dosed silicate once or twice a weeks for years to supply sponges.

 

[RobertK]

I don’t know what baseline really means. I expect silicate will deplete below reliable levels of detection as diatoms consume it. But I’m not saying it is not worth dosing repeatedly. In my old tank I dosed silicate once or twice a weeks for years to supply sponges.

In this case baseline means the silicate level before I started dosing.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

In this case baseline means the silicate level before I started dosing.

I understand, but I’m not sure it is real. In any case, I assume it is used fast, and that, while ok to keep dosing, is not necessary to maintain that level constantly.

 

[RobertK]

I understand, but I’m not sure it is real. In any case, I assume it is used fast, and that, while ok to keep dosing, is not necessary to maintain that level constantly.

OK, thanks Randy!

 

[JonasRoman]

For me the main question, and my curiosity now is if this will get rid of the dinos. Please update this thread by that info. There is so many treatments and many doesnt work, maybe some work, so I would like to gain more experience for just this Si method. Will follow this. I guess you will observe now from day to day?

Jonas