Mattfinn
Aquarium Advice Addict
Yes sorry I've got my information messed up, I know silicates are the main cause but I thought there was a link about fish food being high in phosphates or something and resulting in diatoms....
http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/algae-limiting-nutrients
I remember discussing this issue on another thread about a month back because I was having an issue with diatoms in an established tank. Been doing larger water changes reduced the amount of root tabs I'm using. Has decreased dramatically.
The balance for every tank is different sk3lly, yes you're right on a lot of things I'm just outlining my understanding of nutrients and algae. About the root tab bit, I had previously put too many tabs in and have since been using a lot less. Since using less I'm still getting the same growth across my tank as before just without the large amount of diatoms covering lower levels of glass and in amongst my fluval strat substrate.
Of course the balance is different. Same as the nutrient levels needed will vary tank to tank.
I'm not here to dissuade you from your algae beliefs. Maybe just trying to open your mind to different way of thinking....
KEY QUESTIONS
Why would EI dosing be so popular if it guaranteed excess nitrates and phosphates, in turn causing algae? Don't you think people wouldn't bother with it for that reason?
Going to move onto the diatom issue now. I don't think it's just silicate related. The reason why I think this....
Plenty of people are using cat litter as a deep substrate as it can retain nutrients. Cat litter is made from moler clay. Molar clay is pretty much composed of diatomite. Diatomite is the fossil remains of millions of diatoms. Diatoms use silicates in their make up. Effectively cat litter will leach silicates.
Onto sand. Sand is mainly made up of quartz. Quartz is silicon dioxide. Oh look more silicates!
The key to pretty much all algae growth is an IMBALANCE.
This is usually down to TOO MUCH LIGHTING
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Hey guys! I was abroad for a while, but just got back! The tank is A MESS! Appareantly the timer broke down while I was away, so it has turned into one big algae bloom! I'm getting nerites, shrimp and malaysian trumpets tomorrow hoping to restore the damage. I would really like to share a photo with you guys, but the truth is that it's just nasty right now!
Will postpone update until better days haha!
Peacock moss? I have no experience with that type of moss, so can't really help!
Yet again sorry guys, bear with me!
Sent per three-eyed raven..