One of the cheapest tools you can purchase for reefing is a microscope. A microscope is an indispensable tool in the reefing hobby. You can get one as cheap as $10.00 up to thousands of dollars if you wished. The only thing you need the scope to do is have 400x magnification. The only other tools to use it are gloves, eyedropper, slides, and a phone with a camera. There are many groups on social media where you can post the photos and someone can and will help you identify the many fascinating critters in your tank. One of the most common questions asked by people is "Can you ID this." The follow up questions are "what's your parameters" or "take a picture without blues."
Having a microscope and using it is the only way to correctly identify many algaes and bacterias, especially dinoflagellates. Each species has different way to treat. Bryopsis needs to be treated very differently than GHA and they are treated differently than bubble algae. These types of algae are pretty easy to tell apart from each other, but another common type of pest algae, diatoms, can and does resemble dinos. These are two very different things, treated very differently. Cyano can also be confused with these two. The easiest way to tell them apart is with a microscope, A cheap "toy" microscope can work. This one will do the job just fine.
It is inexpensive and the only problem is that it is made of plastic and is easy to break. I would prefer to go up a step and get this one if the budget calls for it.
Both of the scopes will allow you to see what is growing in your tank be it an algae or bacteria. All you would have to do then is put your phone's camera up to the eye piece and take a picture and post in a forum or somewhere in social media, and someone will help ID it and possibly help you to fight it. It is absolutely imperative that you do this for dinos. There are many different species and the best way to combat them is completely different. The cure for one will not work for the other. Knowing the correct species will allow you find out the correct way to get rid of them.
To take a sample of whatever I want to look at, I use a turkey baster to collect them from the tank. I then empty the turkey baster into an empty container. I then use my eyedropper to collect the sample and remove as much excess water as possible. I use an empty jar from AlgaeBarn to hold my sample and place the slide on top of the opening. After removing as much water as possible, I put the sample on the slide and place the plastic cover on top of it.
This is the Microscope I chose for myself. I love the 3D Stage. It is an easy way to move the slide around without touching it. It has different eyepieces which allow for different magnification levels. I got a binocular type because I can easily hook up my phone to one part and look through the other.
Whichever microscope you choose to purchase, just remember that they are an invaluable tool for your reef tank. I find myself reaching for it more than I reach for my glass scraper.
I am far from an expert at microscopes. If I am wrong on anything or if you have more to add please feel free to let me know.
Having a microscope and using it is the only way to correctly identify many algaes and bacterias, especially dinoflagellates. Each species has different way to treat. Bryopsis needs to be treated very differently than GHA and they are treated differently than bubble algae. These types of algae are pretty easy to tell apart from each other, but another common type of pest algae, diatoms, can and does resemble dinos. These are two very different things, treated very differently. Cyano can also be confused with these two. The easiest way to tell them apart is with a microscope, A cheap "toy" microscope can work. This one will do the job just fine.
It is inexpensive and the only problem is that it is made of plastic and is easy to break. I would prefer to go up a step and get this one if the budget calls for it.
Both of the scopes will allow you to see what is growing in your tank be it an algae or bacteria. All you would have to do then is put your phone's camera up to the eye piece and take a picture and post in a forum or somewhere in social media, and someone will help ID it and possibly help you to fight it. It is absolutely imperative that you do this for dinos. There are many different species and the best way to combat them is completely different. The cure for one will not work for the other. Knowing the correct species will allow you find out the correct way to get rid of them.
To take a sample of whatever I want to look at, I use a turkey baster to collect them from the tank. I then empty the turkey baster into an empty container. I then use my eyedropper to collect the sample and remove as much excess water as possible. I use an empty jar from AlgaeBarn to hold my sample and place the slide on top of the opening. After removing as much water as possible, I put the sample on the slide and place the plastic cover on top of it.
This is the Microscope I chose for myself. I love the 3D Stage. It is an easy way to move the slide around without touching it. It has different eyepieces which allow for different magnification levels. I got a binocular type because I can easily hook up my phone to one part and look through the other.
Whichever microscope you choose to purchase, just remember that they are an invaluable tool for your reef tank. I find myself reaching for it more than I reach for my glass scraper.
I am far from an expert at microscopes. If I am wrong on anything or if you have more to add please feel free to let me know.