Can Poly-Filter (r) sorb Silicates ?

The answer to this question is complex because there are a number of other types of silicate that will enter solution in a reef tank ,due to actions of microrganisms ,
producing diatom growth. Reef keepers ask about silicate and monosilicic acid
(H4SiO4) which are dissolved silicates that are molybdate-reactive ,which means any aquarist can test for their presence using a color-reaction test method. Monomeric silicates are also dissolved and test postive for silicates. These various silicates all produce diatom growth in reef tanks.

Poly-Filter does not sorb these dissolved noncharged forms of silicate.

Next are the more complex forms of nondissolved silicates i.e. collodial silicates and polymeric silicates , which do not react with aquarist's colorimetric test kits. These collodial and polymeric silicates are not well adsorbed by anion exchange resins or other charged media . Low pressure, R/O can remove these forms of silicates but the cost is very expensive for the customer . The build -up of precipitated , complexed silicates produces rapid R/O membrane failure unless the membranes are pressure acid-flushed weekly followed by double distilled water pressure rinses. Obviously, this cannot be easily or safely performed by the average reef hobbyists. This leaves the reef aquarist in a serious dilemma ---- another source of silicates that cannot be detected by simple test kits nor removed from incoming tapwater. Could collodial and polymeric silicates be a source of the mysterious occasional reef tank diatom blooms ? These nondetectable (by aquarists) forms of silica degrade in reef tanks into simple dissolved silicates feeding diatom growth. Poly-Filter can sorb polymeric silicates . Collodial silicates exist in a flux state with a percentage of the particles sticking to each other and organic compounds or complex inorganic compounds which helps form the complex polymeric silicates. As the collodial silicates are converted over to polymeric silicates they are sorbed by Poly-Filter.
Kold Ster-il (r) Sorbs Silicates Poly-Bio-Marine,Inc. sells a special form of filter medium that adsorbs phosphates and silicates for $10.00 retail per 16oz. charge. This filter medium is placed into our 0.20 micron filter bag (located in series) after 12 discs of specially prepared Poly-Filter . Synergistically these media remove all forms of silicate and phosphate from tapwater. These filter media are followed by a 0.50 micron solid carbon core filled with a molecular sieve compound that adsorbs additional heavy metals. continue