Diatom Problems, looking for feedback

[tteitgen]

I live in an area by lake michigan, were the ground is nothing but sand which causes our groundwater to have a high level of silica in it that the diatoms just love and take over my 55 gal tank. Currently I am running two canister filter with one of them running a poly reactor which I was using coralife silica remover. It was doing a pretty good job, would last for around three water changes. Unforunately I can no longer find this product and had to switch to a different product which is expensive and only last for two water changes.
What I was wondering is, could I add clorine to my change water and then add a de-clorinator to the water after a period of time and then add this to my tank. Would this not elimate the diatoms. Looking for feedback, and please don't recommend otto's. How much clorine should I add to effectively kill the diatoms

 

[maxst2]

RO/DI water system prolly would be a good purchase for you. Purifies the water. Less chemicals the best IMO.

 

[BigJim]

Where are you? I'm in the south suburbs of Chicago and we get Lake Michigan water. I don't have diatom issues.

You could fill a container with your tap water, let the diatoms do their thing, then use the water for your PWCs after the diatoms have burned out.