Using Germanium dioxide (GeO2) to control diatoms in a flow-through nursery
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Hi all, I operate a research hatchery in British Columbia, Canada, and am wondering if anyone might have useful information for some diatom control issues I had this past season. I mechanically filter seawater pumped into our lab first with 20 micron, then 1 micron filters, then run it through a UV filter. This prevented diatom growth for the first ~3 weeks (compared to tanks at our facility that our unfiltered), however diatom growth always ended up occurring, despite my attempts to bleach the lines and stay on top of filter cleaning. I was wondering if anyone else has managed to control diatoms in a flow-through system like this, and if Germanium dioxide would even work in a flow-through setup, as I understand it only stops diatom cell division, but doesn't kill diatoms already contaminating a tank. Any insights are appreciated, thanks!
@clay_steell68
hi Clay, I don’t think we will ever be able to stop diatoms in a flow through system, even with redundant filtration. They always seem to find a way in. I’m going back to my recirculating system with water changes next nursery season and I also use GeO2 sparingly. BTW Cammie’s Bk tiles look great! They are 30+cm long and happy looking, saw them today
@clay_steell68 I don't think GeO2 would be very effective in a followthrough system for the reasons you are aware of. We have implemented protein fractionating with ozone injection before we process water through mechanical filtration and UV and it's been very effective.
You might also look at adding to your filter train--we pass our water through a .35 and .2 micron filter after UV treatment.
@clay_steell68 Well, since you are into research, I would try a more natural approach. For example, clams filter around 50 gal per day. Could a bed of clams or some other natural algae eater be added to your filtering system? Might be worth a try.
@clay_steell68 thanks for bringing this issue up. Could you please let us know which specific filters you were using, including the UV filter?
How did you go about selecting these filters and how did you evaluate alternatives?