To UV/Diatom Filter, or Not to Filter?

[abstrohl]

I am hoping to get some feedback about whether to add a UV or diatom filter following my first bout with green water algae bloom! Replaced my carbon with purigen about 2 weeks ago, and just 2 days ago I get cloudy water (maybe relted, probably not).

I have a 46 gallon bowfront african cichlid, planted tank with the following specs:

Nitrates: 20-30ppm
Nitrites:0
Ammonia:0
pH:8.2

Coralife 2X96w 50/50 and 6700 running 8 hrs/day

Dosing Seachem Flourish, Nitrogen, Phosphate, and Excel once a week.

Two AC70 filters: Sponge, Purigen (in one), Filter Floss, BioMax, and crushed coral (in one). NO carbon.

10-20% Water changes weekly.

So what do you guys and gals think? Do I need to add a UV or diatom filter to prevent another bloom? Or just deal with them as they come? If yes, do any work without canister or similar filter?

[fish_freak]

well if your really haveing that much trouble then you may want to add a UV or Diatom filter. I would go with the diatom as they really polish the water amazeingly. How often do you change the water in your tank? Your nitrates are a little on the high side at 30 and could be helping with your alge problems. Also do you use rift lake buffers in your tank? Some of these contain phosphates which will also help in the alge bloom.

[abstrohl]

Doing weekly water changes, about 10-20%

Yes, I use Malawi Buffer. I didn't think about the extra phosphate in it!

Does the diatom filter "protect" against green water as much as UV filters?

Thanks for your help!!!

[H3D]

Have you consider using less light?

[number1sixerfan]

A diatom filter will not usually get rid of green algea. If it were a white bacteria bloom it could do it. How much light do you have and how long are you leaving it on?

[abstrohl]

Since I never had a problem until two days ago, I never thought I was using too much light since the plants are doing well.

I like the UV filter idea because it easy to use - turn on when needed and off when not - but dont like having to put in a power head for it.

And I like the diatom filter but don't like the "hassle" of recharging each time I turn it off.

Any thoughts?

[H3D]

What kind of plants are you keeping?

[abstrohl]

Anubias, lots of jungle val, and something unknown!

[fish_freak]

The diatom should filter out all the alge with out much trouble. If you buy a canister filter than you could skip the power head and run the UV on the return line to the tank.