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Will algae still grow if the light source is weak?
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OP
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I will have artificial plants in my freshwater tank.
I thought diatoms only appear on saltwater tanks?
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Yes from experience, if you don't have algae it's far more likely you'll have diatoms. Plants tend to outcompete algae and algae tends to outcompete diatoms. And if you don't have algae or plants, diatoms tend to take over.
I'd also mention that more, weak light has the same result as less, strong light. Time that the lights are on is an important consideration whether the light is strong or weak.
I'd also mention that more, weak light has the same result as less, strong light. Time that the lights are on is an important consideration whether the light is strong or weak.
If you have diatoms that last more than a few weeks, check with your water supplier to see if you have a high level of silica in the water. Silica can be removed by using a phosphate remover in your filter. Granulated Ferric Oxide (GFO) is excellent for this purpose.
Most types of algae need a regular supply of light to prosper. One remedy for many types of algae is doing a three-day blackout of the tank. To be effective, you need to exclude all light from the tank. This should not harm either the fish, snails, or plants in the tank. Be sure to keep filtration going as dying algae will consume oxygen rather than producing it.
Most types of algae need a regular supply of light to prosper. One remedy for many types of algae is doing a three-day blackout of the tank. To be effective, you need to exclude all light from the tank. This should not harm either the fish, snails, or plants in the tank. Be sure to keep filtration going as dying algae will consume oxygen rather than producing it.
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Silica is a piece of that puzzle, but it's not a total solution. Like I know I don't have elevated silica, it was the first thing I looked at, the 2nd thing, and the last thing, and the answer wasn't there. and it's true diatoms need the silica to form their shells. but nitrates are also an important part of that puzzle. Diatoms will use nitrates just like algae or plants do with them. they use it as a nutrient as well as use it as an electron acceptor for respiration in the absence of light and O2.they can establish in the deepest or darkest spots with nothing else consuming the nitrates besides them.
Generally speaking though diatoms will get outcompeted by algae, and algae will get outcompeted by plants.
I've had pretty severe diatoms for the last 3 years. only twice have I gotten it to clear for about a month before it came back strong again. Honestly it gets pretty clear if they die off and coat things and then I allow algae to grow for a while, and then clean it all off, then I'll get about a month of "pristine". LOL
in my case, it's the nitrates that's the biggest problem, and not having plants and not liking the algae maybe if I had the microcritters that come with plants, maybe they'd capitalize on the diatoms as a food source. But I'm not a fan of the microcritters either. LOL. .
It might well be that you have low silica in your water because diatoms are using whatever silica is available to build shells for new diatoms.
All plant life, including diatoms, need a nitrogen source. Nitrates are certainly adequate in meeting that need. Diatoms are rather unique in having shells made of silica. They cannot reproduce if they do not have a source of silica. The next time you have a diatom outbreak, try using GFO in your filter.
All plant life, including diatoms, need a nitrogen source. Nitrates are certainly adequate in meeting that need. Diatoms are rather unique in having shells made of silica. They cannot reproduce if they do not have a source of silica. The next time you have a diatom outbreak, try using GFO in your filter.
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