Question on Silcate

iloveswfish · Dec 27, 2014

i have silcate in my 55 gallon tank, how do you remove it, i bought phosguard it says it rapidly remoes phosphateand silcate... is there anythin else i can do to remoe it

Triggreef · Dec 27, 2014

First question would be why do you think you have silicate?

Second would be where is it coming from?

Some people actually dose it, because it is so rapidly used up in a closed system.

iloveswfish · Dec 28, 2014

i have seen some pictures online of it, and when i went to petco they had some in there tanks that looks like what i have on the back wall..... i think it might be comeing from high phosphates...what does the third question mean.... i have been trying to get rid of it....it is terrible looking.... but i am using phosguard tht hopefully gets rid of it....

SteelerMike · Dec 28, 2014

You can't really see silicates. They typically get used up and cause diatoms which will go away over time. Diatoms usually look like a brown powdery substance and often occur in newer tanks or when you introduce something new into the tank that is made of plastic. Also hopefully you are using rodi water? Tap water typically has high concentrations of silicates in it

iloveswfish · Dec 28, 2014

yes i am using RO/DI water, my phos level is 0.25 what this looks like is white dots small and it is hard and very hard to get off and is only on the sides and back wall.

Triggreef · Dec 28, 2014

That sounds more like feather duster worms.

iloveswfish · Dec 28, 2014

thi

s is what they look like

FL_Reefer · Dec 28, 2014

You will not be able to see silicate. A good indicator it is in your system is the presence of certain sponges ie: pineapple sponges. They feed from the silicate in your water column. It is a element not visible to the eye. I can't tell what those are from the pic. Hope this helps

TMC1313 · Dec 28, 2014

Do you have nerite snails in your tank? If so, they are notorious for leaving those little white spots all over. When they do, it's looks exactly like that.