silicates

["DeAngelo, James" <JDeAngelo at dewberry_com>]

Micro-organisms have "shells" of various materials.  Some use Sugars to form
Cellulose or another Animal or plant protein.  Others like corals and some
algae use carbonates.  And still others use Silica.  As a geologist I have
studied various deposits that are formed by collections of untold numbers of
these organisms.  Notably Oil, Limestone and Chert. Some of the oldest known
life forms in the fossil record formed shells of silicate material.  Which
is why we can find them to this day.  As far as limiting the SiO2 in any
water source good luck.  SiO2 is the most common compound on this planet.
Hell, the glass in the aquarium is made out of it. While I am sure that if
you eliminated somehow the amount of SiO2 in your aquarium you may stop
silica algae growth. But I am sure you could not stop it all as a non silica
based buggers will take over.  I believe the only cure is to limit what all
Algae and the like eat....nutrients, light....ect.   



Date: Thu, 13 Jun 2002 12:42:40 EDT
From: zachary.villers at twcolumbus_com
Subject: Silicates

In conversing with a friend about aquariums, I was told that silicates have 
something to do with algae growth. (specifically BBA) I dont know if Silicon

is a micro or not, but if it is, I dont think it can be that important.
Could 
an excess of silicates have anything to do with algae? Or is this another
LFS 
myth?

Thanks for info and opinions,
- -Z-

Jim DeAngelo, CFM 
Dewberry and Davis 
METS Division 
703-849-0119 



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