Help ID this Algae

[davidandrzej9]

 

[davidandrzej9]

My tank is around a month old and I believe this is the culprit of driving my nitrates from 6ppm to around 0.5 now, I believe it is diatoms but not sure and I want to figure out what it is so I can start slowing down its growth.

 

[Fish Fan]

If this is. very new tank, I would think diatoms are likely. These typically run their course on their own. Watch for "stringy" look growth that might be dinoflagellate algae. Dinoflagellates are the more difficult pest in my opinion.

Some info that may help:
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/cont...SQScxXNFqZ5eBW3hxRDpTIRkITIbPMjhGeS1bnNIUcw2v

 

[davidandrzej9]

If this is. very new tank, I would think diatoms are likely. These typically run their course on their own. Watch for "stringy" look growth that might be dinoflagellate algae. Dinoflagellates are the more difficult pest in my opinion.

Some info that may help:
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/cont...SQScxXNFqZ5eBW3hxRDpTIRkITIbPMjhGeS1bnNIUcw2v

thanks for the reply, the algae gets only as long as it does in the photos, ive been experiencing them since like week 2, so about 3 weeks now and ive been scrubbing and pulling out a little during water changes, but they just come back harder and the CUC doesnt seem to help much.

 

[EnterName]

I wouldn't worry about it in a tank that's only a month old. Regardless of what it is, chances are it will resolve itself as the microbiome develops over time. I wouldn't start any treatments that might unnecessarily prolong the inevitable and mess with the tank.

Diatoms can chain together to form very short "filaments" but these are rather brittle. Dinoflagellates often form more elastic filaments as those are based on a different mucus. Bubbles can form during diatom-blooms as well so it isn't a definite identifying feature. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/microscopy-thread.1138845/post-14434575, page 5, post 91 shows bubbles in diatom growth without dinoflagellates. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/microscopy-thread.1138845/post-14060262, page 1, post 16 shows how they aggregate to form small structures that are visible with the naked eye.

 

[davidandrzej9]

I wouldn't worry about it in a tank that's only a month old. Regardless of what it is, chances are it will resolve itself as the microbiome develops over time. I wouldn't start any treatments that might unnecessarily prolong the inevitable and mess with the tank.

Diatoms can chain together to form very short "filaments" but these are rather brittle. Dinoflagellates often form more elastic filaments as those are based on a different mucus. Bubbles can form during diatom-blooms as well so it isn't a definite identifying feature. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/microscopy-thread.1138845/post-14434575, page 5, post 91 shows bubbles in diatom growth without dinoflagellates. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/microscopy-thread.1138845/post-14060262, page 1, post 16 shows how they aggregate to form small structures that are visible with the naked eye.

I certainly have noticed some bubbles here and there on the sand bed so leads me to believe its diatoms even more, thankyou for the input ill just leave it alone

 

[EnterName]

I wouldn't worry about it in a tank that's only a month old. Regardless of what it is, chances are it will resolve itself as the microbiome develops over time. I wouldn't start any treatments that might unnecessarily prolong the inevitable and mess with the tank.

Diatoms can chain together to form very short "filaments" but these are rather brittle. Dinoflagellates often form more elastic filaments as those are based on a different mucus. Bubbles can form during diatom-blooms as well so it isn't a definite identifying feature. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/microscopy-thread.1138845/post-14434575, page 5, post 91 shows bubbles in diatom growth without dinoflagellates. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/microscopy-thread.1138845/post-14060262, page 1, post 16 shows how they aggregate to form small structures that are visible with the naked eye.

I certainly have noticed some bubbles here and there on the sand bed so leads me to believe its diatoms even more, thankyou for the input ill just leave it alone

Bubbles can occur during dinoflagellates as well and are even more common so that's not a diagnostic feature. I should have mentioned that, sorry.

Either way, don't worry too much about it. Diatoms will grow either way and the green hair algae phase will follow.