Lyngbya vs GHA -- microscope ID?

[helwrj28]

Unfortunately, I'm dealing with a 2nd wave of nuisance algae (following dinos)..

I'm torn between diagnosing what I'm currently up against-- Lyngbya vs GHA. I've scoured some of the threads here and I'm still at a loss for what I have. I will update with some tank pictures today/tomorrow that will be of assistance.

I'm curious if someone could help direct me to the difference between both on a microscope for reference (thinking it might be easier to tell vs tank pictures)?

Any help would be most appreciated thanks!

 

[Dan_P]

Unfortunately, I'm dealing with a 2nd wave of nuisance algae (following dinos)..

I'm torn between diagnosing what I'm currently up against-- Lyngbya vs GHA. I've scoured some of the threads here and I'm still at a loss for what I have. I will update with some tank pictures today/tomorrow that will be of assistance.

I'm curious if someone could help direct me to the difference between both on a microscope for reference (thinking it might be easier to tell vs tank pictures)?

Any help would be most appreciated thanks!

Study the pictures of GHA and Lyngbya on the internet. I think you will be able tell what you have.

 

[helwrj28]

As you can see it's everywhere! Not a strong green color but it appears moreso than brown

 

[Dan_P]

As you can see it's everywhere! Not a strong green color but it appears moreso than brown

Pictures are a little blurry. I am trying but can’t quite make out the filaments. If the stuff is difficult to remove, my guess is that it is mostly GHA. I say mostly because I think there are other things growing on the surfaces.

This is the sort of situation you might consider restarting the aquarium.

 

[helwrj28]

Pictures are a little blurry. I am trying but can’t quite make out the filaments. If the stuff is difficult to remove, my guess is that it is mostly GHA. I say mostly because I think there are other things growing on the surfaces.

This is the sort of situation you might consider restarting the aquarium.

Thanks for assistance. Some of it does blow off with a syringe but it does seem to have an obvious root structure-- that leads you to believe GHA?

The other things you are probably seeing are spiriboid worms and sponges..

I appreciate your suggestion on restarting but the tank has been up and running for a while, was originally a FOWLR but has had a few leathers in it since June of 23. I originally dealt with a bad case of dinos so I'm not feeling ready to throw in the towel. I have also considered chemical intervention but of course need confirmation on what I'm dealing with before proceeding but I also am up for continuing the manual removal (believe it or not it was twice as bad a few weeks ago with crazy growth rate!).

I see a positive again as the corals are finally showing their polyps!

 

[Dan_P]

Thanks for assistance. Some of it does blow off with a syringe but it does seem to have an obvious root structure-- that leads you to believe GHA?

The other things you are probably seeing are spiriboid worms and sponges..

I appreciate your suggestion on restarting but the tank has been up and running for a while, was originally a FOWLR but has had a few leathers in it since June of 23. I originally dealt with a bad case of dinos so I'm not feeling ready to throw in the towel. I have also considered chemical intervention but of course need confirmation on what I'm dealing with before proceeding but I also am up for continuing the manual removal (believe it or not it was twice as bad a few weeks ago with crazy growth rate!).

I see a positive again as the corals are finally showing their polyps!

Good luck with the restoration. I am interested in seeing the transformation when you finish.

 

[helwrj28]

Finally got around to some pic microscope pics.. look consistent for GHA?

 

[Dan_P]

Finally got around to some pic microscope pics.. look consistent for GHA?

Yep, it’s algae

 

[helwrj28]

Yep, it’s algae

Definitely not lyngbya? To me the lyngbya pics online look like the cells are more striated within the strands.. but of course online vs real world might be a bit different