SIlica sand and SIlicates

[RyanPlanted]

This is for a freshwater tank but i know yall reefers know a lot more about silicate and stuff so wondering if yall could answer a question i have. I know diatoms thrives off silicates in the water. The substrate i am using is pool filter sand which is a silica based sand. So i am wondering would this silica sand raise the silicates in my water? I know that silicon and silicone and silicate and silica are all completely different even though they sound so similar which is why i am so confused

 

[T-J]

Here's an article on silicate sand in a reef system. The short answer is yes, it will release silicates. The unknown: does this apply to freshwater as well?

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