I bought some aragonite to re-substrate my F8 tank and possible new ceylon tank and I'm curious if it will produce diatoms. When I first did aragonite a few years ago I mixed it with pool filter sand and had a reletively small diatom outbreak.
My question is, will I have the same with straight aragonite?
I saw Petsmart had it on sale and then found another 15% coupon online...Bottom line $14.02 per 30lb bag.
Aragonite and Diatoms
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JRC3
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Aragonite and Diatoms
There are many knowledgeable fish keepers on this forum willing to help and give great advice...The advice is free; What you choose to do with it gives it value.
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G S P Freak
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Re: Aragonite and Diatoms
No. Diatoms require silicates to create their shells, and aragonite will be way lower in silicates than pool sand. Aragonite = calcium carbonate, pool sand = quartz (a silicate). HTH.
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RTR
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Re: Aragonite and Diatoms
Diatoms require soluble silicates in the water supply. If in the past you have had diatom algae issues, then you are likely to do so again. In this country, soluble silicates are tested for by the water utilities, but not always routinely reported to the system users. If you call your local water utility they will tell you at least if your water is low, moderate, or high in soluble silicates. If your supply is low in soluble silicates, you are unlikely to have persistent diatom issues. With moderate soluble silicates, you may see some persistent diatom algae, but not necessarily long term. With high soluble silicates, you can expect some persistent diatom algae issues.
For the F-8, tank upkeep in low brackish water (specific gravity 1.003 - 1.005), you will be doing essentially the same upkeep as in FW tanks, i.e.~50% water partials weekly. Yor diatom issues, if any, will depend on the soluble silicate levels in your water supply as mentioned above.
Ceylons are quite similar to GSPs, but a bit larger. The best system for them is likely the full salt water FOWLR + skimmer + 24/7 macroalgae refugium. That system minimizes water changes, so is much less likely to have persistent diatom algae issues due to the reduced water change requirements.
There are pretreatments available for tap water to reduce soluble silicates, but that is a full-volume pretreatment and there is no reason to discuss it in detail unless you have to use it. If we do not have an article on this already, I'll add one so it will be available in the future.
HTH
For the F-8, tank upkeep in low brackish water (specific gravity 1.003 - 1.005), you will be doing essentially the same upkeep as in FW tanks, i.e.~50% water partials weekly. Yor diatom issues, if any, will depend on the soluble silicate levels in your water supply as mentioned above.
Ceylons are quite similar to GSPs, but a bit larger. The best system for them is likely the full salt water FOWLR + skimmer + 24/7 macroalgae refugium. That system minimizes water changes, so is much less likely to have persistent diatom algae issues due to the reduced water change requirements.
There are pretreatments available for tap water to reduce soluble silicates, but that is a full-volume pretreatment and there is no reason to discuss it in detail unless you have to use it. If we do not have an article on this already, I'll add one so it will be available in the future.
HTH
Where's the fish? - Neptune