Ok conflicting info on diatom brown algae

[ChrisM101]

I have diatom algae ( it dusts off) on my plants and it gets worse. I understand its from silica in the water or tank... but I have seen mention that it may be due to not enough light. I have some anubias and swords under a 48" current satellite + On a 125 gallon tank. Its hung over the plants which are all central to it. My catfish like their dark corners. I use flourish twice a week now trying to perk the plants up. I run it on daylight for about 10 hrs a day and then I switch to blue moon or red the rest of the time. I feel the light is rather gimmicky. Should I add another light during the day cycle I have an 21 inch submersible marineland? Ive also seen that too much light can cause it. Going to do some 70 percent water changes and change to purigen in my canister. I do have concern that maybe the cause is the black diamond that I used for substrate. It was very very oily and took forever to get clean enough?

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[HackJob]

black diamond does take a while to clean up...do you have enough water movement? maybe something to keep the water moving will stop it from settling?

 

[ChrisM101]

Yes I have major water movement with a jebao wp 40 wavemaker. Its not from the sediment itself. But maybe the composition of it. Its not just a dust but it is growing around on surfaces. Its diatoms.

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[NeonFlux]

Get yourself a large group ottocinclus catfish, they love diatoms.. but also be prepared to care for them feeding them blanched vegetables like cucumbers, zucchini, algaes, or other veggies to keep them healthy and well.

I have some that are several years old and every time a little brown algae grows, they eat them off like no tomorrow. By the way, how many times do you clean the filters? Could be a ton of organics contributing to diatoms..

 

[ChrisM101]

I clean the hobs 1 to 2 times a week and the canister every 2 months. Im gonna change up the media in the canister and see if I can clean a bit more efficiently. Its bio balls ceramic then carbon zeolite. I plan to go to purigen and matrix in it also as soon as amazon delivers.

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