Silica / Diatom Bloom / TDS -0

[mattfish]

Trying to eliminate Silica as a contributing factor for Diatom bloom ,- RO unit runs .5 micron sediment and carbon ,and two D ionizers , TDS - 0 , can i rest assure that i am removing all Silica ? i understand some Membranes state HI-S , but in the interest of saving cash , there are similar manufacturers offer much cheaper membranes but they don't say HI-S removal , can Silica still be a factor if i am reading TDS-0 ?, Don t feel like buying a 50 dollar Silica kit and using only one time. i got different opinions on this from Marine Depot and BRS..
Any help appreciated .

 

[Brad Miller]

Before we get into treating your rodi water with anything, I have to ask...

How long has your tank been set up ?

What are all your water parameters ?

Yes, Diatoms need silicates to thrive but in a new tank, this is normal

 

[mattfish]

Before we get into treating your rodi water with anything, I have to ask...

How long has your tank been set up ?

What are all your water parameters ?

Yes, Diatoms need silicates to thrive but in a new tank, this is normal

Tanks been up for one year now , corailine algae really taking off now {Red Sea Reefer 139gal system } Aqua Illuminations lighting. { 11 hr photo period }
Cal 450 - stays nice using 2 part and Kalkwasser
Alk -swings from 8.3 to 8.6 { no doser } applying ESV every 12 hrs
PH - 8.2 { but i dont trust the Hanna PH pen } gonna get a probe and controller
NO3 - .05 - PO4 - .03
Various SPS and LPS all doing OK
!2 small fish , various shrimp and snails and crabs
I noticed the Diatom when TDS went to .03 , then considered the Silica, tried to save $ by using lesser value Membranes from Ebay but i am using dual DI , so not sure if this was the problem. That s when i considered Silica getting thru when TDS says 0 . I checked with various sources on this { township water dept and membrane manufacture } and both said it was unlikely.
But i think like you said this is normal in fairly new tank , and i guess it will take its course.
Any info you could offer would be appreciated , Thanks for replying.

 

[Brad Miller]

Do you have access to a microscope ?
It would be best to take a sample and pic to post here.
That’s the only way you can tell if it’s Diatoms or Dinoflagellates.
Once you do that we can recommend the proper way to deal with it....better than taking a stab at it.

Diatoms

Dinoflagellates