Okay, I just have to ask about other peoples' experiences based on what I have seen.
I set up two tanks with all other things being equal, they were both low light. the only difference was that one made use of Tahitian Moon Sand to cap Leonardite/mulm/peat and the other made use of Seachem Onyx Sand to cap Leonardite/mulm/peat. Both tanks got a pinch of nitrates, phosphates, potassium and seachem Equilibrium with 50% weekly water changes. The one with the TMS cap developed diatom algae and the one with the Seachem Onyx Sand never did. It is said that insufficient light intensity and excess silicates in the water causes diatom algae. Lighting in both tanks was the same. As far as silicates, I guess it is possible that the TMS could have been higher in silicate content.
I set up a 15 gallon ADA AS II experimental tank that never developed diatom algae several months after setup.
I set up a 5 gallon hex tank with Leonardite/peat capped with Seachem Onyx sand and a thin layer of pool filter sand as the plan was to provide a soft cushioning for catfish which I would be adding later., That tank is now showing signs of a diatom algae bloom(towards the end of the cyle). Again, it makes be wonder if the bloom may be related to the pool filter sand being high in silicate content.
Right now, this has me pretty confused. I would love to hear about other peoples' experiences - those that have and have not had diatom algae blooms.
I set up two tanks with all other things being equal, they were both low light. the only difference was that one made use of Tahitian Moon Sand to cap Leonardite/mulm/peat and the other made use of Seachem Onyx Sand to cap Leonardite/mulm/peat. Both tanks got a pinch of nitrates, phosphates, potassium and seachem Equilibrium with 50% weekly water changes. The one with the TMS cap developed diatom algae and the one with the Seachem Onyx Sand never did. It is said that insufficient light intensity and excess silicates in the water causes diatom algae. Lighting in both tanks was the same. As far as silicates, I guess it is possible that the TMS could have been higher in silicate content.
I set up a 15 gallon ADA AS II experimental tank that never developed diatom algae several months after setup.
I set up a 5 gallon hex tank with Leonardite/peat capped with Seachem Onyx sand and a thin layer of pool filter sand as the plan was to provide a soft cushioning for catfish which I would be adding later., That tank is now showing signs of a diatom algae bloom(towards the end of the cyle). Again, it makes be wonder if the bloom may be related to the pool filter sand being high in silicate content.
Right now, this has me pretty confused. I would love to hear about other peoples' experiences - those that have and have not had diatom algae blooms.