Help identifying this algae?

Mark’sReef

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 25, 2023
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
Louisiana
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hi all I am fairly new to this hobby and need some help identifying this algae diatoms or cyano? Or something else?? Also how would I get rid of it? My tank is about 9 months old. Ph 8.0 Kh 10 Nitrates 7.2 Calcium 455 magnesium 1350

IMG_5642.png IMG_5640.png
 

eliaslikesfish

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 23, 2023
Messages
296
Reaction score
261
Location
Boston
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
The black one the rock looks like cyano to me but I could be wrong.
 
Last edited:

WalkerLoves_TheOcean

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 27, 2024
Messages
2,243
Reaction score
7,379
Location
New York
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Doesn't look like cyano to me, but you can try this if you want.

Hi R2R members and visitors!
I have one topic I would like to point out.
The dreaded cyanobacteria
Now most of you may know I spend countless hours studying this exact bacteria.
Well I want to let you all know that most of the cases are not the common cyanobacteria that we see plague our tanks.
In fact most of the time it's another form called spirulina.
Absolutely 2 different forms of bacteria with 2 different options of treatment.
So let's get onto finding the positive identification of the bacterium.

Take a portion of that red mat you see in your tank and place it into a cup with about 2 cups of tank water.
Now add 1ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide
Over the course of several hours you may start to see a change in the water and the color of your sample.
If in fact it is the common cyanobacteria and not spirulina the water will start to turn a pink color and the sample with start to turn a green color.
Now if it is spirulina there will be no change as h2o2 has little effect on the individual cells.

This will help give you an idea of proper course of action if needed.

Thank you all for the continued support of my efforts!
Todd
 

Reefing threads: Do you wear gear from reef brands?

  • I wear reef gear everywhere.

    Votes: 39 15.9%
  • I wear reef gear primarily at fish events and my LFS.

    Votes: 14 5.7%
  • I wear reef gear primarily for water changes and tank maintenance.

    Votes: 1 0.4%
  • I wear reef gear primarily to relax where I live.

    Votes: 30 12.2%
  • I don’t wear gear from reef brands.

    Votes: 143 58.4%
  • Other.

    Votes: 18 7.3%
Back
Top