Dinos or cyano.

RPGLaz

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Is this dinos or cyano ? Hi all would like help identifying whatever is growing on my sand. I bought a microscope but I won’t be here for a few days. I don’t see any bubbles on the bacteria. I also did a 3 day blackout along with the refresh and waste away treatment from dr Tim’s, this made no difference at all.
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Looks like cyano to me. Try to keep phosphate at a lower value (0.03-0.05) if it isn't already. Nitrate probably doesn't matter but its possible that in tanks with 0 nitrate, some cyano may be taking nitrogen from the atmosphere.
 
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RPGLaz

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Looks like cyano to me. Try to keep phosphate at a lower value (0.03-0.05) if it isn't already. Nitrate probably doesn't matter but its possible that in tanks with 0 nitrate, some cyano may be taking nitrogen from the atmosphere.
I am at 0 on both. Have been that way for days and nothing helps. I even have my skimmer and UV running all the time.
 

taricha

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I vote dinos.
 

SchrutesReefs

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Do you attempt to siphon it off the sand every evening? Don’t stir the sand bed, just blow it free and siphon it out thru a filter sock and let the water run back into the sump. Manual removal will be your most effective alongside getting nutrients in check. This will also help in determining the type of algae besides using a scope.
 
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RPGLaz

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Yes I do. But I have a UV sterilizer and it doesn’t kill them. It’s properly sized worked on Dino’s before
My vote is Dino’s as well. Do you see it disappear and reappear with your light schedule? I.e. the sand is coated in the evening/afternoon, but clear in the mornin
 
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RPGLaz

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Do you attempt to siphon it off the sand every evening? Don’t stir the sand bed, just blow it free and siphon it out thru a filter sock and let the water run back into the sump. Manual removal will be your most effective alongside getting nutrients in check. This will also help in determining the type of algae besides using a scope.
I have tried to siphon my sand a couple of times but I came back within hours. I did distribute the sand as I was doing this tho.
 
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RPGLaz

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Without a scope it looks like cyano to me based off it’s slimy appearance.
I got these under my microscope any idea what they could be ?? It’s hard for me to tell.
 

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vetteguy53081

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Looks very much like cyano especially with cell size and the overall appearance within tank.
Regardless if cyano or dino- Blackout is effective with both.
Cyano blooms typically start when water nutrient concentrations of phosphate, nitrate and other organic compounds are too high.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Protein skimmer which fills water with tiny air bubbles. As bubbles form from the reaction chamber, dissolved organic compound molecules stick to them. Foam forms at the surface of the water and is then transferred to a collection cup, where it rests as skimmate. When the protein skimmer does not output the best efficiency or you do not have the suitable protein skimmer to cover the tank, the air bubbles created by the skimmer might be insufficient. And this insufficiency of air bubbles can trigger the cyano to thrive.
- Overstocking / overfeeding, your aquarium with nutrients is often the culprit of a cyano bloom
- Adding live rock that isn’t completely cured which acts like a breeding ground for red slime algae
- If you don’t change your water with enough frequency, you’ll soon have a brightly colored red slime algae bloom. Regular water changes dilute nutrients that feed cyanobacteria and keeps your tank beautifully clear
- Using a water source with nitrates or phosphates is like rolling out the welcome mat for cyano. Tap water is an example
- Inadequate water flow, or movement, is a leading cause of cyano blooms. Slow moving water combined with excess dissolved nutrients is a recipe for pervasive red slime algae development

I recommend to reduce white light intensity or even turn them off for 3-5 days. Siphon up the surface. Add liquid bacteria daily for a week during the day at 1.5ml per 10 gallons. Add Hydrogen peroxide at night at 1ml per 10 gallons. Add a pouch of chemipure Elite which will balance phos and nitrate and keep them in check. Bacteria will compete with bad bacteria and peroxide will act as an oxidizer
 

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