Suggestions on Diatom algae
 

I've been struggling with copper colour algae growing everywhere for two months. Brand new PC bulbs, and i'm even using rowaphos to take out the silicates that it likes. What have you done in the past?

First off are you sure its diatoms and not dinoflagellates (aka brown snot algae) .
Diatoms are readily eaten by most snails and unless its a new tank are rarely a problem

pretty sure it's diatom algae, going on pictures and comparisons. seems to flare up after water changes. i have read that infrequent water changes should be done to limit the input of silicates...it is a new tank, and woried about putting more snails in for fear of the niger trigger!

Zeovits coral snow worked well on some that I had...

using RO or tap water?

i use the aquarium pharmaceuticals tap water filter

as long as the membrane is fresh, that should be fine for new westminster water...