Can someone confirm what this algae is? And tips to get rid of it?
- Thread starter jaysreefs
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First picture looks like cyano, second picture with the stringy nature looks like possible dinoflagellate (Prorocentrum most likely).
Do you have access to a microscope? If not could you repeat your pictures under all white lighting?
Do you have access to a microscope? If not could you repeat your pictures under all white lighting?
jaysreefs
New Member
Duncan62
Valuable Member
Dinos. I think.
Unfortunately that looks more like Ostreopsis than the other picture. I would strongly suggest you get a microscope (check with libraries in your area, they sometimes have one you can use). The Amscope 150 is only about $85 and does an adequate job to ID dinos.
If it is Ostreopsis it is best treated with UV. 1 watt/3 gallons of display volume. It should be plumbed from the display and back to the display with a dedicated pump at about 1-3x tank volume/hour. I aim for the middle of that range. If it is Ostreopsis improvement with a properly sized and installed UV is very quick.
Start by cutting back lights to 6 hours blue and UV no white. Get a diverse cleaner crew. They may not eat dinos but sift the sand. Check your parameters because something is off. Siphon out what you can. Dose phytoplankton and good bacteria like PNS probio. UV will help also.
Duncan62
Valuable Member
Uv is great and will help but the only real fix is getting your nutrients in line and stable so beneficial organisms can out compete the dinos. The uv will work best at night. Dinos will be in the water column at night and clinging to rocks and things like snot during the day. While uv is running stir or siphon the sand and blow off rocks. Above all increase your nutrients to proper levels. Good luck with it. Be patient.
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