./Parameters/silicates
Contents:
- Thiel Aqua Tech's X-Silicate
by patti/hosehead.hf.intel.com (Patti Beadles) (Thu, 2 Jan 1992)
by patti/hosehead.hf.intel.com (Patti Beadles)
Date: Thu, 2 Jan 1992
Newsgroup: alt.aquaria,rec.aquaria
It's been rumored for a while that TAT's X-Phosphate would remove silica
from tank water to some extent. Silica is a major contributor to diatom
blooms, and it's just about the only "bad" thing in my local tap water.
The following message appeared on CompuServe's FISHNET recently, and is
reprinted here with Albert's permission. I haven't tried this yet, but I
will within a few days. I have a silica test kit, and I've had some
experience with what untreated X-PO4 will do with silica in fresh water.
I'll post my results.
Patti
------------------------------------------------------------------------
#: 112828 S5/Marine/Reef Aquaria
31-Dec-91 09:20:25
Sb: #Silicate
Fm: Albert Thiel/T*A*T 76307,2000
To: ALL
All Fishnetters who use X-Phosphate :
Good news !
We have been researching alternate uses for our X-PO4 for a while.
We all know it removes phosphates quickly and that is what it was
intented to do.
Conversations with a mineralogist and a chemist at the facility
where X-PO4 is manufactured lead to the belief that the material
may be able to remove other nasties >gr< as well.
In short we tested and they did some testing for us. UB, when we
were still in CT did some for us too.
The end result is that we soon came to the conclusion that X-PO4
removes silicate as well when it is somewhat treated.
This opened an avenue for a new product for us and we could have
called it X-Silicate. Problem is did we really want to do this ?
After talking it over here at TAT, and in a private message with
one Fishnetter (Thanks for the input) we decided not to do so.
We feel that because the need for silicate lowering is so closely
related to the need for phosphate and nitrate removal (in reef tanks)
based on my personal beliefs, we making this information available
free of charge to all on Fishnet and of course to hobbyists at large
who are not members of Fishnet.
Lower levels of silicate will, in most cases, resolve problems with
excess amounts of diatoms. This seems especially needed in the early
stages of the tank set-up, but outbreaks may reappear at times as
slimy masses and encrusting diatom algae.
The procedure is as follows :
- Rinse your X-PO4 well and remove all dust.
- The material heats up in the process as you may have found out.
- Prepare a water solution with a pH of around 6.0 -6.5. You can do
by using boric acid (available at the drugstore).
- Rinse the X-PO4 again with this solution. You will need about one
gallon of acidified water per .5 lb of the compound.
- Rinse again with triple distilled or otherwise treated water
Your compound is now ready to use in your aquarium. Run it for about
24 hours and remove and discard it, or rinse it again with a stronger
acid (around 4.00), and then use it again to remove phosphates.
Whereas no claims are made as to the need of individual reef keepers
need to remove silicate, the compound will do so for those who wish to
use X-PO4 in a different manner.
This message posted in S5 so more readers will see it.
Albert J. Thiel for Thiel Aqua Tech Inc. Dec 31, 1991.
P.S. For those interested in raw materials for phosphate removal :
Use either aluminum oxide (preferably treated to increase efficiency - which
is what we have done to it) or an iron chloride (be careful with the latter as
it will cloud the tank for a while if you are not careful and affect the pH
Have a happy 1992 from all of us here in New Mexico.
--
patti-at-hosehead.hf.intel.com | I don't speak for Intel, nor vice-versa.
75555.767-at-compuserve.com |
(503)-696-4358 | A1: Yes, I'm the one with the big fishtank.
or just yell, "Hey, Patti!" | A2: A lot, a lot, yes you can see it sometime.
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