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How long does silica last in a saltwater aquarium? In my fish only system, dosed SiO2 is below the detection limit of the Hanna LR Silica Checker in 10 days. Randy published his observation in an Advanced Aquarist article in 2003 concerning silica in the reef aquarium (https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/1/aafeature1). Both consumption rates appear to be zero order (first plot). Why does silica disappear so quickly? Does the elevated silica level result in a precipitation of a silicate?
The results of storing samples of aquarium water collected after dosing would indicate the answer is no. In both of my dosing experiments, I removed a sample of aquarium water after dosing (t0 sample), stored it in the dark, and tested it for silica when the aquarium water was approaching 0 ppm silica. The bar chart below summarizes the observations. Both t0 samples showed a silica level near or at the initial level after dosing. Where does it go? Is it a characteristic of older systems? Do new systems maintain a high silica level and that is why diatom blooms can occur?
Since I don’t have sponges, use GFO, or have a large diatom population (I think), I am left with a mystery to solve and would appreciate your ideas on this topic.
The results of storing samples of aquarium water collected after dosing would indicate the answer is no. In both of my dosing experiments, I removed a sample of aquarium water after dosing (t0 sample), stored it in the dark, and tested it for silica when the aquarium water was approaching 0 ppm silica. The bar chart below summarizes the observations. Both t0 samples showed a silica level near or at the initial level after dosing. Where does it go? Is it a characteristic of older systems? Do new systems maintain a high silica level and that is why diatom blooms can occur?
Since I don’t have sponges, use GFO, or have a large diatom population (I think), I am left with a mystery to solve and would appreciate your ideas on this topic.
