Washing sand to reduce silicates?

[RAV-65]

Hi all,

in the midst of planning for my new tank, was tinking, if I give my new sand a thorough wash before use, would it help to reduce the silicates in the sand? Would like to reduce the possible and likely diatoms bloom in my new tank!

Vincent Ho

[ReDDeviLs]

wah bro, getting new tank? cool!!

erm not sure,but i washed the sand in my 2nd tank and i dont notice much diatom bloom compared to the 1st tank i had that i did no washing..

but the 1st tank was using a PL and the 2nd tank was running on FL only. wonder if the lights play a part in here.

[RAV-65]

wah bro, getting new tank? cool!!

erm not sure,but i washed the sand in my 2nd tank and i dont notice much diatom bloom compared to the 1st tank i had that i did no washing..

but the 1st tank was using a PL and the 2nd tank was running on FL only. wonder if the lights play a part in here.

Hmmm... dat's unfair comparison!! Anyone else for some enlightenment??

[Achilles Tang]

Hi all,

in the midst of planning for my new tank, was tinking, if I give my new sand a thorough wash before use, would it help to reduce the silicates in the sand? Would like to reduce the possible and likely diatoms bloom in my new tank! 

Vincent Ho

Be it liverock or sand, heavy metals or certain undesirables can bind with the calcium carbonate surfaces and be released back into the water column later.

Washing it doesn't help except remove some floating rubbish on it like raffia string, wood bits etc.

In your case, silicates can even be part of your water supply so making ASW itself could be the culprit in adding silicates into your tank.

My 2 cents,

AT

[RAV-65]

Be it liverock or sand, heavy metals or certain undesirables can bind with the calcium carbonate surfaces and be released back into the water column later.

Washing it doesn't help except remove some floating rubbish on it like raffia string, wood bits etc.

In your case, silicates can even be part of your water supply so making ASW itself could be the culprit in adding silicates into your tank.

My 2 cents,

AT

Hmm.... have invested in a DI unit to reduce phosphates in the tapwater I use... does it help with reducing Silicates????

Vincent Ho

[Achilles Tang]

Hmmm.... I guess so... ?

[RAV-65]

Hmmm.... I guess so... ?

I hope so!!!