Dinoflagellates or Diatoms?

[Devan Patel]

Hi. I’ve been dealing with this for a very long time now with diatoms growing on my sand and I’ve even reduced lighting a lot and they still keep coming. Now I just decided to ask if anyone knew what was growing on my rocks and how I can get rid of them and maybe grow some corraline algae. I’m only running a canister filter for about 8 months now. I only have a couple of corals and Honeslty don’t know what I’m doing.

 

[Dburr1014]

Hi. I’ve been dealing with this for a very long time now with diatoms growing on my sand and I’ve even reduced lighting a lot and they still keep coming. Now I just decided to ask if anyone knew what was growing on my rocks and how I can get rid of them and maybe grow some corraline algae. I’m only running a canister filter for about 8 months now. I only have a couple of corals and Honeslty don’t know what I’m doing.

From the video, it looks like there is no flow.
Also, are you using ro/di?
Looks like diatoms.

 

[Devan Patel]

From the video, it looks like there is no flow.
Also, are you using ro/di?
Looks like diatoms.

I am using RODI, also I forgot to write that my rocks block the blow from the middle space. Also if you could help me with something else. Do you think this is a good spot for my Montipora,gonipora, and brain. I’ll add the pictures. I’m currently working on my sump right now. Everything that is here is what I built,

 

[enricocoron]

I would normally think the monti should be higher than the brain in more lit region. You also look to have a lot of natural light coming from all sides of the tank, so not a deal breaker but any excess nutrients will give algae and diatoms a better chance with those far spectrum wavelengths.

 

[anthonymckay]

Honestly, it's too difficult to assess visually, because LCA dinos, and diatoms looks very similar to the naked eye. Buy a cheap microscope from amazon, take a sample, and you'll have your answer immediately.

 

[Bucs20fan]

The easiest way is with a microscope. I bought one from kohls for 40 dollars and did the trick just fine. If you have had the tank for a while, like 6 months or more, it is probably dinos. Diatoms quickly use up the silicate in our tanks in a month or two and die off. If this has been going on daily for a while its most likely dinos. Treatment cannot be assessed until you identify what species you have, which is why the microscope helps.