Oolite Sand can I cover it with new sand and stop the silicates?

zero26 · 11/07/2009, 06:16 PM

Ok fellas, I've tried everything, My Hair Algae problem is getting under control, now I have this brown stringy Algae in my tank. I run GFO and carbon in a reactor, I want to cover the sand anyway its too fine for me. If I cover it with some other agraonite will it stop fueling silicates? Or do I need to remove it all?

zero26 · 11/07/2009, 06:23 PM

PS just a guess that there are silicates in the water I dont have a test for it. Its the only thing I can think of.

elegance coral · 11/07/2009, 06:37 PM

How old is this tank? Usually, silica based sands may release silica fueling diatom blooms when first placed in the aquarium, but this typically goes away. If you're having problems, why not just replace the sand with something you like?

zero26 · 11/07/2009, 06:47 PM

Ya most def, I wanna get rid of it, but it would be huge mess to scoop out. I might scoop some of it out and put some new dry sand in it. Like a special grade seaflor. And just do 1/4 of the surface a week. my tank is about 6 months old.

greenbean36191 · 11/07/2009, 06:55 PM

The algae you describe sound like dinoflagellates, which aren't dependent on silicates. Also, oolite is aragonite, so it doesn't release silicates. You can cover it with another layer of sand, but it won't do anything to help with the algae.

11/07/2009, 06:16 PM	#1
zero26 MoneyPit Maestro Join Date: May 2009 Location: Washington MO Posts: 1,866	Oolite Sand can I cover it with new sand and stop the silicates? Ok fellas, I've tried everything, My Hair Algae problem is getting under control, now I have this brown stringy Algae in my tank. I run GFO and carbon in a reactor, I want to cover the sand anyway its too fine for me. If I cover it with some other agraonite will it stop fueling silicates? Or do I need to remove it all?

11/07/2009, 06:23 PM	#2
zero26 MoneyPit Maestro Join Date: May 2009 Location: Washington MO Posts: 1,866	PS just a guess that there are silicates in the water I dont have a test for it. Its the only thing I can think of. __________________ 90 DT, 50 gal basement sump. Current Tank Info: LPS, SPS

11/07/2009, 06:47 PM	#4
zero26 MoneyPit Maestro Join Date: May 2009 Location: Washington MO Posts: 1,866	Ya most def, I wanna get rid of it, but it would be huge mess to scoop out. I might scoop some of it out and put some new dry sand in it. Like a special grade seaflor. And just do 1/4 of the surface a week. my tank is about 6 months old. __________________ 90 DT, 50 gal basement sump. Current Tank Info: LPS, SPS Last edited by zero26; 11/07/2009 at 06:48 PM. Reason: more info

11/07/2009, 06:55 PM	#5
greenbean36191 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 10,598	The algae you describe sound like dinoflagellates, which aren't dependent on silicates. Also, oolite is aragonite, so it doesn't release silicates. You can cover it with another layer of sand, but it won't do anything to help with the algae. __________________ Some say the sun rises in the East. Some say it rises in the West. The truth must be somewhere in the middle. Current Tank Info: tore them down to move and haven't had the time or money to set them back up

11/07/2009, 06:37 PM	#3
elegance coral They call me EC Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: central Florida Posts: 6,208	How old is this tank? Usually, silica based sands may release silica fueling diatom blooms when first placed in the aquarium, but this typically goes away. If you're having problems, why not just replace the sand with something you like?