Ok, folks...where does Silicon come from?

Siberwulf · Apr 23, 2022

I just got my latest ICP test back and Silicon is way off the mark. It's coming back at 445. Three months ago, it was 307. Six months prior to that, it was 198.

I haven't done water changes since then, but I do use RO/DI to top off. I confirmed my TDS is 0 and has been ever time I fill the ATO bucket up.

Water is getting stored in these: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Rubbermaid...n-Gray-Plastic-Touchless-Trash-Can/1001774200
Someone mentioned it could come from sand, but I used https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/20-lb-special-grade-arag-alive-reef-sand.html
All tubing in the system is from BRS, so I don't have any issues there.
My RO/DI unit is the 5 stage https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/5-stage-premium-75-gpd-ro-di-system-bulk-reef-supply-bundle.html
I'm not noting anything odd (I just did nuke some cyano that was getting a bit too rowdy in there), such as diatoms. GHA isn't an issue with my CUC.

What could be causing this to rise continuously? And is it even an issue if nothing is blowing up?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 23, 2022

Silicon in seawater is some form of silicate, and is not any concern unless you have a problematic level of diatoms. Tap water is a big source. Some folks have very high reported levels without issue.

Siberwulf · Apr 24, 2022

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Silicon in seawater is some form of silicate, and is not any concern unless you have a problematic level of diatoms. Tap water is a big source. Some folks have very high reported levels without issue.

Does the RODI process not remove it from tap water?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 24, 2022

Siberwulf said:
Does the RODI process not remove it from tap water?

An RO/di usually removes most of it, but it is among the easiest things to get through, and folks with problems with it sometimes run two DI in series to ensure better binding.

Koh23 · Apr 24, 2022

Silicone comes from tube...

Kidding, no idea, but if its rising, then you adding it or something leaching it in water. Start with your ro filter, as top off ro water is thing that is constantly added to tank, maybe there lies a problem.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 24, 2022

This article has a lot more info on silicate:

Silica In Reef Aquariums

Why would I recommend dosing silica? Largely because creatures in our tanks use it, the concentrations in our tanks (at least in mine) are below natural levels, and the sponges, mollusks, and diatoms may not be getting enough to thrive.

reefs.com

ShakerBreaker · Apr 24, 2022

I also had a 5 stage rodi unit and had a very high silicate level from an ICP test. I am pretty sure it was caused by ineffective DI resin, I replaced my single stage DI resin with the 3 stage DI resin kit from brs and I haven't had a high silicate reading since.

It could simply be getting by your RODI system.

neo1738 · Apr 24, 2022

Silicone is first to escape DI so you need to change the DI regularly to prevent this even with 0 TDS. Same problem for me.

Siberwulf · Apr 24, 2022

ShakerBreaker said:
I also had a 5 stage rodi unit and had a very high silicate level from an ICP test. I am pretty sure it was caused by ineffective DI resin, I replaced my single stage DI resin with the 3 stage DI resin kit from brs and I haven't had a high silicate reading since.

It could simply be getting by your RODI system.

This is good to know. How did you drop it? Just WC? Did it naturally go away?

Siberwulf · Apr 25, 2022

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
This article has a lot more info on silicate:

Silica In Reef Aquariums

Why would I recommend dosing silica? Largely because creatures in our tanks use it, the concentrations in our tanks (at least in mine) are below natural levels, and the sponges, mollusks, and diatoms may not be getting enough to thrive.

reefs.com

That's a good read. So the short answer is "don't remove it, unless you have an issue"

I think I'm just going to get a secondary stage that will add additional steps.

I currently use the following: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-bulk-deionization-resin-color-changing.html

Should I also get one focused on Si for the second stage DI? https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/anion-single-bed-color-changing-bulk-deionization-resin-brs.html