Chrysophytes or Dino’s

[Morzac369]

I’m looking to get some different opinions on the algae I’m experiencing. About 3 weeks ago my rocks started to get covered in a clear ish brown slimy mucus, it then started clogging my filter floss. My nitrates bottomed out at .01, my phosphates are staying around .03-.04. I have been manually removing and feeding extra to try to bring nitrates up with no luck. It has gotten alittle better and not clogging my filter floss but 4-5 days rocks get covered again.

 

[Morzac369]

 

[Morzac369]

 

[EnterName]

Do you happen to have a video so we can see the cells move?

I would say the rocks look more like Chrysophytes are the issue. The microscope images also don't look like typical dinoflagellates that cause trouble in reef tanks. Most benthic species we encounter have chloroplasts that give them their coloration that is well visible even under the microscope.

So my guess is Chrysophytes based on the provided images. Do you happen to know if silicate levels are increased? Are you making your own RO/DI water?

 

[Morzac369]

.

 

[Morzac369]

Do you happen to have a video so we can see the cells move?

I would say the rocks look more like Chrysophytes are the issue. The microscope images also don't look like typical dinoflagellates that cause trouble in reef tanks. Most benthic species we encounter have chloroplasts that give them their coloration that is well visible even under the microscope.

So my guess is Chrysophytes based on the provided images. Do you happen to know if silicate levels are increased? Are you making your own RO/DI water?

My phone was not cooperating with the microscope to get a video but that was a sample taken from the slime there was no movement on the scope.

I do make my own rodi reading 0tds on the inline and a digital checker. I have 3 tanks I use the rodi on and this one is the only one with the slime.

My silicates shouldn’t have rose but I ordered a test kit to check. I run Chemi pure elite in the one hob filter on that tank.

 

[EnterName]

Do you happen to have a video so we can see the cells move?

I would say the rocks look more like Chrysophytes are the issue. The microscope images also don't look like typical dinoflagellates that cause trouble in reef tanks. Most benthic species we encounter have chloroplasts that give them their coloration that is well visible even under the microscope.

So my guess is Chrysophytes based on the provided images. Do you happen to know if silicate levels are increased? Are you making your own RO/DI water?

My phone was not cooperating with the microscope to get a video but that was a sample taken from the slime there was no movement on the scope.

I do make my own rodi reading 0tds on the inline and a digital checker. I have 3 tanks I use the rodi on and this one is the only one with the slime.

My silicates shouldn’t have rose but I ordered a test kit to check. I run Chemi pure elite in the one hob filter on that tank.

It's just one factor to check. As long as silicates stay low the outbreak should pass. Manual removal will help as long as the water you use as replacement is really free of silicates. TDS meters are a good indicator as long as the electrodes are clean and everything is calibrated.

 

[Morzac369]

Do you happen to have a video so we can see the cells move?

I would say the rocks look more like Chrysophytes are the issue. The microscope images also don't look like typical dinoflagellates that cause trouble in reef tanks. Most benthic species we encounter have chloroplasts that give them their coloration that is well visible even under the microscope.

So my guess is Chrysophytes based on the provided images. Do you happen to know if silicate levels are increased? Are you making your own RO/DI water?

My phone was not cooperating with the microscope to get a video but that was a sample taken from the slime there was no movement on the scope.

I do make my own rodi reading 0tds on the inline and a digital checker. I have 3 tanks I use the rodi on and this one is the only one with the slime.

My silicates shouldn’t have rose but I ordered a test kit to check. I run Chemi pure elite in the one hob filter on that tank.

It's just one factor to check. As long as silicates stay low the outbreak should pass. Manual removal will help as long as the water you use as replacement is really free of silicates. TDS meters are a good indicator as long as the electrodes are clean and everything is calibrated.

Yeah I’m going to test the tanks,the rodi and the salt mix and see for sure.

I’m going to start dosing tiny amounts of neo nitro to get my nitrates back on track.

I always stayed at 5-10 I was even feeding heavier before this all started . Pellets and frozen daily, red seas AB+ every other day and reef roids once a week and they still don’t want to come up.

 

[EnterName]

Do you happen to have a video so we can see the cells move?

I would say the rocks look more like Chrysophytes are the issue. The microscope images also don't look like typical dinoflagellates that cause trouble in reef tanks. Most benthic species we encounter have chloroplasts that give them their coloration that is well visible even under the microscope.

So my guess is Chrysophytes based on the provided images. Do you happen to know if silicate levels are increased? Are you making your own RO/DI water?

My phone was not cooperating with the microscope to get a video but that was a sample taken from the slime there was no movement on the scope.

I do make my own rodi reading 0tds on the inline and a digital checker. I have 3 tanks I use the rodi on and this one is the only one with the slime.

My silicates shouldn’t have rose but I ordered a test kit to check. I run Chemi pure elite in the one hob filter on that tank.

It's just one factor to check. As long as silicates stay low the outbreak should pass. Manual removal will help as long as the water you use as replacement is really free of silicates. TDS meters are a good indicator as long as the electrodes are clean and everything is calibrated.

Yeah I’m going to test the tanks,the rodi and the salt mix and see for sure.

I’m going to start dosing tiny amounts of neo nitro to get my nitrates back on track.

I always stayed at 5-10 I was even feeding heavier before this all started . Pellets and frozen daily, red seas AB+ every other day and reef roids once a week and they still don’t want to come up.

Use food-grade ammonium bicarbonate or ammonium chloride instead: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-ammonia-dosing-for-low-nitrate-systems.987087/

Nitrate dosing is a very "bad" way to supply nitrogen. Its uptake requires trace element based enzymes to convert it back to ammonia. If you supply ammonia directly the uptake will be much more efficient. You will also safe a few bucks.

 

[Morzac369]

Do you happen to have a video so we can see the cells move?

I would say the rocks look more like Chrysophytes are the issue. The microscope images also don't look like typical dinoflagellates that cause trouble in reef tanks. Most benthic species we encounter have chloroplasts that give them their coloration that is well visible even under the microscope.

So my guess is Chrysophytes based on the provided images. Do you happen to know if silicate levels are increased? Are you making your own RO/DI water?

My phone was not cooperating with the microscope to get a video but that was a sample taken from the slime there was no movement on the scope.

I do make my own rodi reading 0tds on the inline and a digital checker. I have 3 tanks I use the rodi on and this one is the only one with the slime.

My silicates shouldn’t have rose but I ordered a test kit to check. I run Chemi pure elite in the one hob filter on that tank.

It's just one factor to check. As long as silicates stay low the outbreak should pass. Manual removal will help as long as the water you use as replacement is really free of silicates. TDS meters are a good indicator as long as the electrodes are clean and everything is calibrated.

Yeah I’m going to test the tanks,the rodi and the salt mix and see for sure.

I’m going to start dosing tiny amounts of neo nitro to get my nitrates back on track.

I always stayed at 5-10 I was even feeding heavier before this all started . Pellets and frozen daily, red seas AB+ every other day and reef roids once a week and they still don’t want to come up.

Use food-grade ammonium bicarbonate or ammonium chloride instead: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-ammonia-dosing-for-low-nitrate-systems.987087/

Nitrate dosing is a very "bad" way to supply nitrogen. Its uptake requires trace element based enzymes to convert it back to ammonia. If you supply ammonia directly the uptake will be much more efficient. You will also safe a few bucks.

Interesting read. Thanks