Diatom / Silicate problem

[webman]

Please help me with removing the rust dust like stuff thats on everything.

I can blow it off and it will reappear twice as bad. This stuff is even stuck to the glass.

Thanks
Webman

 

[Tremelle]

I had a similiar problem a week ago. My problem was I had high phosphates. I read a post while looking for info on phosphates that stated dripping kalkwasser will bring down phosphates. So I have been dripping kalk for the last 5 days and the cyano is going away pretty fast.

If you go to the Kent Marine website and read about their phosphate sponge, you will see it also works for removing silicates. First you have to remove the phosphates, which dripping kalk does.

I hope this helps.

 

[webman]

I read the Kent site about the phosphate sponge but they don't give very good instructions. Do I just mix this in with the water and let it disolve or do I need to keep it in a container to remove later.

Thanks
Webman

 

[Tremelle]

The Kent Phosphate sponge is a white broken pellet. You place it in a mess bag, or in a power canister filter. The product does not dissolve in the water. The first initial use should last no longer than 2 days so as not to release the phosphate back into the water. After that you can leave a bag in the water and change it out ever so often.

Here are the exact instructions: Directions: Rinse with fresh water (preferably reverse osmosis or deionized water) WARNING: PRODUCT MAY GET VERY HOT THE FIRST TIME IT IS WET! Use rubber gloves and/or place in a plastic container while rinsing! Place in a large mesh bag (800 micron) or a canister filter, directly in the water flow. Make sure water flows through the material and not just around it. Leave for 8 hours to 2 days maximum (as with any phosphate adsorber, phosphates can be re-released into the system if initial charge is left in the system continuously. If you want to leave in the system to keep phosphates low or to remove silicates, replace initial charge with brand new, and change on a regular basis.) For silicate removal, phosphate must first be removed, then a new charge of Phosphate Sponge must be left in the system for several days.

This sponge usage can get expensive. It cost around $32 around the DFW area. So I would suggest using it sparingly.

I hope this helped.

 

[Anonymous]

fwiw-
you may find that using small amounts of the sponge,changed often, will help use it more efficiently-try one tablespoon/10 gal. of you tanks volume changed every couple of days.

of course,if you don't eliminate the source production first, you're running 'full gas in neutral' :wink:

 

[webman]

Thanks to all for your assistance. I almost gave up on keeping my tank since it didn't look good with the rust on everything except the fish. I felt like I spent alot of money and no outcome. Man, i've been fighting this for the last 6 to 8 months. Everyone I spoke with didn't mention the sponge.

3 hours after I put in the sponge it cleaned and cleared up my tank. 24 hours later my tank was crystal clear like it was 7 months ago.

I will change weekly to see if it keeps the rust away.

Does anyone have a way for me to figure out what is causing this so that I don't have to use the sponge forever?

Thanks
Webman

 

[Anonymous]

please describe your setup in detail-tank size, inhabitants(including sand, or lr) filtration,(including skimmer), chemistry(including NO3, PO4), lighting, maintenance, feeding, etc.

 

[webman]

My tank consist of the following:
55 gallon
50lbs LR
2.5" sand bed
Marineland Emperor 400
Prizm skimmer
Oceanic lighting
Chemistry is all at 0, ph at 8, cal at 405

I feed them twice a day every other day.

Species include:
Red Scooter Blenny
Purple firefish goby
Scopas Tang
Plenty of snails and hermits
Tiger Pistol Shrimp
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Harlequin Shrimp

Thanks
Webman

 

[Anonymous]

dump the emperor-upgrade the skimmer

is the emperor the only circulation you have?-recommend a few powerheads to the tank

what type of lighting?(wattage, spectrum)

fwiw-feed your fish daily 8O

 

[IcantTHINKofONE]

Would carbon eliminate phosphates/silicates too?

 

[webman]

Ocean 125 lighting fixture.

I also have two MaxiJet powerheads(one on each side).

You mentioned dump the emperor. Do you mean replace it with a different wet/dry? doesn't the carbon cartridges help keep the odor down and helps keep the water clean.

Webman

 

[Anonymous]

Ocean 125 lighting fixture.

I also have two MaxiJet powerheads(one on each side).

You mentioned dump the emperor. Do you mean replace it with a different wet/dry? doesn't the carbon cartridges help keep the odor down and helps keep the water clean.

Webman

again-what spectrum and wattage/type are the BULBS?

the wet dry is part of the nutrient problem re:your diatom/algae issue.
(do some searching here on the board)

carbon, mostly removes the tinting agents from your water-good skimming, and proper water changes do the same.a healthy tank does NOT smell-without carbon. :wink:

the cartridges basically keep the 'grunge' in your system-without letting it get broken down properly-putting nitrates, etc, into your tank at a fairly high rate-(search on the bb for dsb :wink: )

you might want to get some good books, as well(see the library poll post for some suggestions..)


IcantTHINKofONE-

Would carbon eliminate phosphates/silicates too?

no.removing the sources, or using appropriate denitrifying environments,skimming, kalkvasser will

 

[webman]

The oceanic has two 55 watt bulbs. I have another fixture that houses a Coralife Actinic 6000k blue.

Kewl, I'll cut off the Emperor 400 to see how it does for two weeks.

Thanks

 

[webman]

Does anyone have any recommendations on what to use to put the sponge in? I've tried a few things but the pieces just falls right threw it.

Where in your tank do you put yours without it looking ugly?

I put it in the Emperor cartridge before I took out the Emperor.

Thanks
Webman

 

[Luis]

Go to Homedepot and you will find in the swimming pool product seccion huge mesh bags to vaccum the swimming pool (they are white with very small holes) for about $5.00, cut it in small pieces (7in x 7in) wash the piece in tap water put the phosphate sponge in the center of the piece and close it with a rubber band.

2nd option; Go to any fish store and ask for them, they will have small bags but they are a little more expensive than the vaccum bags. :wink:

You can place it either behind your rocks or pumps.