Diatoms or Dinos?

[Stege_saurus]

Trying to figure out which one this might be. *I do not own a microscope at this time*.
Po4 - .5
NO3 - 5
System is 75g with a 30g sump. I do 25% water changes every other weekend.
This tank was set up about a month ago using 5 year aged live rock. The brown on the rocks does not move when brushed against.

*I am planning on doing a water change this coming weekend as well.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Diatoms

 

[Cscultho]

IMO, regardless of what type of algae it is, just let it run its course. Every tank experiences algae blooms, it's part of building the biodiversity in the system. Keep doing water changes and let it ride. Don't treat with chemical warfare because this only results in a tailspin and you will end up chasing numbers. You have several months of uglies ahead.

Regarding the LR, what you are showing is 5yr old LR? It looks like new LR to me.

Good luck.

 

[Stege_saurus]

IMO, regardless of what type of algae it is, just let it run its course. Every tank experiences algae blooms, it's part of building the biodiversity in the system. Keep doing water changes and let it ride. Don't treat with chemical warfare because this only results in a tailspin and you will end up chasing numbers. You have several months of uglies ahead.

Regarding the LR, what you are showing is 5yr old LR? It looks like new LR to me.

Good luck.

Lol no I didn't take pictures of it, I figured you wouldn't be able to see it very well on those aged rocks. This is the aged rocks on the bottom.

 

[Merge_595]

Trying to figure out which one this might be. *I do not own a microscope at this time*.
Po4 - .5
NO3 - 5
System is 75g with a 30g sump. I do 25% water changes every other weekend.
This tank was set up about a month ago using 5 year aged live rock. The brown on the rocks does not move when brushed against.

*I am planning on doing a water change this coming weekend as well.

Looks like Diatoms. Can add copepods & some mature media if you can find some..
https://topshelfaquatics.com/products/wild-reef-pre-seeded-bio-media

 

[Stege_saurus]

Looks like Diatoms. Can add copepods & some mature media if you can find some..
https://topshelfaquatics.com/products/wild-reef-pre-seeded-bio-media

I was thinking about getting some pods this week. Not sure which ones to go with for sure though.

 

[Mels_Reef]

Trying to figure out which one this might be. *I do not own a microscope at this time*.
Po4 - .5
NO3 - 5
System is 75g with a 30g sump. I do 25% water changes every other weekend.
This tank was set up about a month ago using 5 year aged live rock. The brown on the rocks does not move when brushed against.

*I am planning on doing a water change this coming weekend as well.

Diatoms are normal for a new system. Snails will clear it from the rocks and sand sifters will churn the sand and help remove them there.

However, I am more concerned with your .5 phosphate?! Is that correct or did you mean .05?

 

[Stege_saurus]

Diatoms are normal for a new system. Snails will clear it from the rocks and sand sifters will churn the sand and help remove them there.

However, I am more concerned with your .5 phosphate?! Is that correct or did you mean .05?

No, thats how i interpreted it. I use Salifert, but maybe my eyes aren't the best? I can retest and post the results if youd like to take a look. I would love for them to go down.

 

[Merge_595]

I was thinking about getting some pods this week. Not sure which ones to go with for sure though.

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/t...7YYSzFCAB_i9j3SW1aB840t-WtI1yuvQaAuOFEALw_wcBI've always used these but Algaebarn goes a little more into detail on which you might want..

 

[Mels_Reef]

No, thats how i interpreted it. I use Salifert, but maybe my eyes aren't the best? I can retest and post the results if youd like to take a look. I would love for them to go down.

I’m not familiar with the Salifert test. If you’re in this for the long haul and plan on getting coral, I highly suggest a Hanna phosphate checker. The titration test kits with the color matching are notoriously hard to get a precise measurement on.

You can use diluted Lanthanum Chloride to bring the po4 down but you have to use it in small amounts as to not cause problems with floculant impairing your fishes gills.

 

[Stege_saurus]

I’m not familiar with the Salifert test. If you’re in this for the long haul and plan on getting coral, I highly suggest a Hanna phosphate checker. The titration test kits with the color matching are notoriously hard to get a precise measurement on.

You can use diluted Lanthanum Chloride to bring the po4 down but you have to use it in small amounts as to not cause problems with floculant impairing your fishes gills.

My plan is to get Hanna test kits, its just not quite in the budget right now. I agree 100% that it is a bit difficult with the color matching.

 

[Reefer2.0]

Your tank it very young. I think it’s diatoms which is normal I wouldn’t worry too much.