Diatom Growth

"KurtG" wrote in message
news:9Brvh.2908$ch1.2549@bigfe9...

I have a really bad case of diatoms (or algae) growing. I added the
lights and 30# of rock a few weeks ago.

I was expecting my nitrates to be off the map, but they aren't bad. Maybe
about 30 ppm which isn't good, but good for me.

I switched to using distilled water until I get my RO/DI filter setup. So,
I don't think that it's silicates, but I have no way of testing for that.

Last water change was two weeks ago, so I'll go ahead and mix up some
water.

My phosphates are better. Not great, but I've been using phosphate beads
and the levels have been settling.

I also have lots of bubble formation. I assume this is O2 from
photosynthesis.

So, how do I curb the growth?

--Kurt

Just give it time
diatomes are a pioneer species
with time others will build ecosystems on top of the diatomes