Is this GHA? (Macro Video, Microscope Photos)

dustinc

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So, I'll give a very brief synopsis of what's gotten me to this point...

Purchased a Mandarin that was captive bred and it came in about 1/2" in size. Way too small to add directly to my display, so went to Lowe's and purchased a floating plant basket. Placed in the tank with the fish, within 24 hours, 75% of my acros were dead as well as 1 shrimp and all snails. I immediately removed the basket, starting running CAC, and did (2) 100 gallon water changes in back to back days. I only lost 2 more acros the following day, since then everything that survived is starting to color up and grow again (this all happened approximately 2 weeks ago). All fish are still healthy and no issues with any other livestock. The Organo MS test showed low levels of insecticide (assume because most was pulled with the water changes and CAC as the test was done on the water after intervention). Since then, this algae has taken hold big time and spreading like crazy. I've tried manual removal as much as possible, but it even grips well to the glass. Below is a video of it in the frag tank as well as a couple microscope photos. Also attached is one close up of the small start of a piece on the glass. My assumption is the killing of much of the clean up crew (and assume many of the pods/microfauna) is what lead to this, but must get it under control and work to eliminate. Any help or thoughts would be appreciated!

320 Gallon Display with 30 gallon frag tank plumbed in.



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Dan_P

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So, I'll give a very brief synopsis of what's gotten me to this point...

Purchased a Mandarin that was captive bred and it came in about 1/2" in size. Way too small to add directly to my display, so went to Lowe's and purchased a floating plant basket. Placed in the tank with the fish, within 24 hours, 75% of my acros were dead as well as 1 shrimp and all snails. I immediately removed the basket, starting running CAC, and did (2) 100 gallon water changes in back to back days. I only lost 2 more acros the following day, since then everything that survived is starting to color up and grow again (this all happened approximately 2 weeks ago). All fish are still healthy and no issues with any other livestock. The Organo MS test showed low levels of insecticide (assume because most was pulled with the water changes and CAC as the test was done on the water after intervention). Since then, this algae has taken hold big time and spreading like crazy. I've tried manual removal as much as possible, but it even grips well to the glass. Below is a video of it in the frag tank as well as a couple microscope photos. Also attached is one close up of the small start of a piece on the glass. My assumption is the killing of much of the clean up crew (and assume many of the pods/microfauna) is what lead to this, but must get it under control and work to eliminate. Any help or thoughts would be appreciated!

320 Gallon Display with 30 gallon frag tank plumbed in.



IMG_9224.jpeg

IMG_9225.jpeg

IMG_9226.jpeg
IMG_9228.jpeg

Looks like some type of hair algae.
 
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dustinc

dustinc

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That looks like Lyngbya, its actually a type of cyano bacteria.

I thought the same thing originally. It just does not seem to act like the Cyano stuff at all and definitely secures itself to a surface more like an algae. When it dries out (rinsing down the sink) it is also much more green than it appears in the tank or pulling from the tank while wet. I'm still battling it. Big cleanup crew coming in soon and also finishing a design for a scraper that has a vacuum hose attachment. Should get these large chunks out. Should be testing later today.

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