Dosing silicates long term in sps tank?

[Miami Reef]

Does anyone know if dosing silicate could be harmful to acropora/maxima clams long term?

 

[Lavey29]

Why would you need to do this? RODI typically has some residual silicate in it during water changes.

 

[GarrettT]

I do it and my acropora and maxima's are unaffected. I keep it under 2ppm though.

 

[Miami Reef]

I do it and my acropora and maxima's are unaffected. I keep it under 2ppm though.

Why do you do it if I may ask?

 

[Miami Reef]

@Randy Holmes-Farley Do you have any opinions to my first post in this thread?

 

[GarrettT]

I had a dino outbreak some time ago, which I treated by dosing silicate. Since then,'ve just continued to dose it, as I bought a big container of it. Doubt I'll continue dosing it once I run out .

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I do not think silicate has any impact on corals, but the growth of other organisms such as diatoms might.

 

[Miami Reef]

I do not think silicate has any impact on corals, but the growth of other organisms such as diatoms might.

I was thinking about how growing diatoms could potentially lessen coralline algae growth?

Honestly, the main reason I want to try to grow diatoms is because I want to see if it will be easier to scrape off than the tough green algae I currently grow on my overflows and back walls.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I was thinking about how growing diatoms could potentially lessen coralline algae growth?

Honestly, the main reason I want to try to grow diatoms is because I want to see if it will be easier to scrape off than the tough green algae I currently grow on my overflows and back walls.

They will reduce nutrients, may act as food for filter feeders, and might possibly overrun certain types of organisms (but I've not seen that when I dosed).

i found the diatoms on the glass less visually problematic than the green algae.

 

[Miami Reef]

They will reduce nutrients, may act as food for filter feeders, and might possibly overrun certain types of organisms (but I've not seen that when I dosed).

i found the diatoms on the glass less visually problematic than the green algae.

I thought you were trying to say that silicates won’t harm corals directly, but the diatom growth can affect corals. I got worried for a second.

I have a slight off topic question: I have had a few tanks, and when nutrients bottom out I 100% of the time got dino coolia.

What’s the lowest phosphate levels you would recommend so I can get the growth and coloration from my acros, but to avoid Dinos?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I thought you were trying to say that silicates won’t harm corals directly, but the diatom growth can affect corals. I got worried for a second.

I have a slight off topic question: I have had a few tanks, and when nutrients bottom out I 100% of the time got dino coolia.

What’s the lowest phosphate levels you would recommend so I can get the growth and coloration from my acros, but to avoid Dinos?

I do not know if diatoms are a net help, or hindrance to corals. I think the risk for dinos is greatly lessened at 0.02 ppm phosphate compared to lower levels.