Cyano or dinos? Pics

maevepotter · Feb 20, 2019

This has been happening for awhile, we vacuum and then it's back. Let me know what you think. I want to get my assistant on this stat ;) (see below).

We had some much redder stuff awhile back that I think was definitely cyano. This is more a rusty brown. Tank has been set up since roughly November.

Bryce M. · Feb 20, 2019

Personally I'd say dinos, and it will go away on it's own, just takes time

dansreef · Feb 20, 2019

Your tank is still pretty young....as is your assistant. The best way to find out, take a small sample and put it under a microscope. Doesn't need to be a fancy one just something that can provide a good view. If you have a mass of moving organisms...then it is dinos. If there is no movement or of there materials is filimentous... then it is an algae or bacteria.

What are your nutrient levels? Nitrates and Phosphates? If you have been chasing ultra low nutrient levels.... near zero for both.... consider lettign these rise by removing GFO, Carbon, feeding more.... As these nutrients rise, algae will grow as will cyano....along with microfauna... pods.... all of these will outcompete dinos if that is what you have.

Like I said, your tank is still really young. Let some of the other stuff grow... and if it is dinos.... this other bacteria and algae will outcompete the dinos.