Diatoms

[Anna94]

Ever since I set up my tank 2 years ago I've had diatoms. A few months ago I had really bad green algae on the back glass of my tank. I had to scrub that crap off with an aquarium scrub brush. I don't have any live plants, the tank lights are on for 6 hrs. (whites for 3 and blue for 3), and my tank doesn't get any direct sunlight. So I'm thinking my water must have silicates/phosphates in it. I have an otocinclus, but by himself he's not doing a very good job of eating the diatoms so I plan on getting a few more otos. Is there a way I can remove silicates/phosphates from my tank water? An RO/DI system is not an option as I use a python for water changes and I hook it up to my bathroom sink as the bathroom is next to my bedroom where my tank is. I also can't use API Phos-Zorb as I'm already using Purigen in my filter so I have no room for other filtration.

 

[hobby5]

Why no live plants? Everything in your tank will benefit. In the long run they can also outcompete any algae. I don't think fish are a solution to this.

 

[Anna94]

Why no live plants? Everything in your tank will benefit. In the long run they can also outcompete any algae. I don't think fish are a solution to this.

They just seem like too much of a hassle cuz I need the proper lighting and the liquid ferts. I know pothos can grow with no special lighting and no ferts and I can even grow it in my hob filter, but I'm not too keen on having a plant taking over my wall where my tank is as it grows or take over my tank. That goes for any plant, to be honest.

 

[Byron]

From your description I would wonder if it is not brush algae rather than diatoms. They are both dark brown. Otos will ravenously eat diatoms; just one little oto would almost clean the tank in no time. But nothing (with a couple difficult exceptions) will touch brush algae. If it comes off very easily with your fingertip it is diatoms; if not, brush algae.

Algae in any fish tank without live plants is normal. The light (any light, algae is not fussy) plus the naturally-occurring nutrients from the organics will easily feed algae.

Byron.

 

[Anna94]

It comes off easily on the glass, but I have to scrub it off of my fake plants or soak them in vinegar and water to get it off.

 

[FroFro]

Ever since I set up my tank 2 years ago I've had diatoms. A few months ago I had really bad green algae on the back glass of my tank. I had to scrub that crap off with an aquarium scrub brush. I don't have any live plants, the tank lights are on for 6 hrs. (whites for 3 and blue for 3), and my tank doesn't get any direct sunlight. So I'm thinking my water must have silicates/phosphates in it. I have an otocinclus, but by himself he's not doing a very good job of eating the diatoms so I plan on getting a few more otos. Is there a way I can remove silicates/phosphates from my tank water? An RO/DI system is not an option as I use a python for water changes and I hook it up to my bathroom sink as the bathroom is next to my bedroom where my tank is. I also can't use API Phos-Zorb as I'm already using Purigen in my filter so I have no room for other filtration.

There are several low requirement plants that can thrive with basic lights and fertilizers. You can get root tabs for less than 10$ at your LFS and they last for 3 months when submerged. If you only have a few yu don't even need to use that many. The bags I buy come with 16 inside. Any who some good plants I've had luck with so far have been Anubias; slow growing but very hard. Roots grow downward and when they get thick make a nice "curtain". Java fern and amazon swords I've also done well with, but other members on here can give better advice if you're interested.

Plants help create a an imitation of a fish's natural environment and beautify your tank. I highly recommend you get some plants!

 

[Byron]

It comes off easily on the glass, but I have to scrub it off of my fake plants or soak them in vinegar and water to get it off.

Diatoms on plant leaves will easily wipe off with your fingertip, so I am thinking this is more likely brush algae. There is more than one type/form of brush algae, I'll add photos of two of the most common. Plants would help this, and some as simple as floating plants. These work by not only using nutrients but also reducing the light entering the tank.

 

[SnailPocalypse]

It seems I have it on my staurogyne repens,but boosting the light seems to make it go away for me.