Silica sand and High Silicates

[Saltyone]

From reading all the info on here about sand i decieded to use partial Silica sand in my tank been 3 months now and my silicates and phosphates are off the wall...Does anyone know if silica sand releases back into the water... I have alot of brown alge growth on the glass..do to hi silicates and phosphates...and yes it is ro water and yes the tanks hase been up for 6-7 months

[gcvt]

I have silica sand in my reef tank and haven't had any problems at all. From what I've read, silica sand won't leach anything in to your water until your pH reaches about 4.

[Daverman]

I agree with gcvt. Silica sand should not affect the level of free silicate under normal aquatic conditions (theoretically). However, I think it does contribute to relatively high [silicate] in my tank water. I've been using silica sand for 7 months. Even though my tank is fully cycled, it's been suffering from occasional diatom blooms:mad:. My water source has virtually no silicate. The only possible source of silicate that I can think of is silica sand. I suspect the quality of silica sand may be not as good as I thought. I don't have any clear explanation for this. Anyway, this has been my experience with silica sand, so far.

[a_free_bird73]

Silicates are rather a debatable issue because even if you did not have sand, then the glass it self would leach silicates into the water at very small concentrations.

Phosphates are a little different because sand will absorb phsophates and can release them under certain conditions. However, it is more likely to have high phosphate due to feeding than it is due to leaching from the sand...

Keep in mind that phosphates will build up in the tank unless they are removed by some physical means. That means water changes, "phosphate specific" removal resins (which are not acutally specific), having algae to soak up the phosphate etc. and the worst phosphate sources to a tank are frozen foods.

Or so is my limited understanding

[kreblak]

Yes, frozen foods are a huge source of phosphates if they aren't cunsumed promptly. Unless you are overfeeding, though, this shouldn't be a problem. What my fish don't get, my hermits are all over like white on rice. I've noticed far fewer diatom blooms since I bolstered my mop up crew a few months back.

[Saltyone]

Thanks for the good replies.. I was just curious cause my Phosphates are off the wall with alot of brown alge, on the glass within 2 hours of cleaning...I am trying phosphater remover and the one i have sucks im going to try a diffrent on...ANd i Feed Spectra little ball like food so i know none goes to waste and if one does get past my crabs and shrimp get it quick..
Well tyhanks for some ideas