FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I was reading articles on the web about the use of silica sand in aquariums and there seams to be some sort of debate going on over the issue. So I need the consensus, Is Silica sand going to increase Diatome growth in my aquarium?

i thought that in general you didnt want any silica's in the tank, thats why many RO/DI systems remove them when purifying the water..

Nick
"Impossumable- unable to play dead"

Brown or diatomaceous algae is often condidered part of "new tank" syndrome. It usually indicates a lack of light or an excess of silicates or both.

A white sand bottom is an aquarium is gorgeous with numerous drawbacks. These are:
1. Initial silicate surge that is controllable with water changes,
2. You can never rinse the stuff clean of dust but water changes will help,
3. It is devoid of minerals so you must fertilize heavily if you want live plants and the material density may crush plant roots,
4. Water changes may disturb the fine substrate and cloud the tank but water changes will help,
5. Sharp dust will invade your filter and wear on the impeller but water changes won't help...

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright