If I have these two parameters under control is it safe to say I wont have much algae as long as these stay low? I understand ammonia feeds algae spores as well, but is that all I need to worry about as far as algae is concerned? Thanks
Besides Nitrates and Phosphates do any other water parameters cause algae?
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happyhourhero
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Silicates can cause diatoms. Overall if you stay on top of detritus build up, water changes and don't go too fast you should be ok.
Edit: make sure you have good flow too.
Edit: make sure you have good flow too.
Randy Holmes-Farley
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You need to think of it differently, IMO, than any one compound driving algae.
Algae need an adequate source of ALL of N, P, iron, some other trace elements, light, and a place to grow. For diatoms only, you can add silicate to the list.
If you reduce ANY ONE of those low enough you can stop algae from growing.
As a source of nitrogen, nitrate is not the only compound available. Ammonia can also suffice.
In general, folks often find it easiest to drop phosphate to the point where algae is limited without hurting other organisms such as corals.
Do you currently have a algae problem?
Algae need an adequate source of ALL of N, P, iron, some other trace elements, light, and a place to grow. For diatoms only, you can add silicate to the list.
If you reduce ANY ONE of those low enough you can stop algae from growing.
As a source of nitrogen, nitrate is not the only compound available. Ammonia can also suffice.
In general, folks often find it easiest to drop phosphate to the point where algae is limited without hurting other organisms such as corals.
Do you currently have a algae problem?
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Your lightning is a very important matter
I have two tanks with the same water parameters
but one of them that is metal h lamp has grown some diatom but the other has no algae in it(LEDs)
The other is the lamps kelvin.The upper the kelvin be the lower algae grows
I have two tanks with the same water parameters
but one of them that is metal h lamp has grown some diatom but the other has no algae in it(LEDs)
The other is the lamps kelvin.The upper the kelvin be the lower algae grows
I currently am in the process of setting up my saltwater aquarium, from a freshwater setup i had. But, im trying to preplan my strategy to reduce algae. I dont want to look back and say If I had only done this, or bought that.
What are the best methods for removing silicates and diatoms?
Thanks so much
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Silicate will be consumed by the diatom. Once all the silicate is gone the diatom will disappear. There's no need to worry about trying to remove the diatom because it's not harmful to the tank at all. Corals actually eat diatoms, so it can actually be a good thing. Diatom during the first month of setting up is very typical.
