Algae I D please

joe_ayres · Jan 3, 2016

Hi can any of you guys identify my algae infestation and how to get rid I siphon it out and it keeps coming back within s day or two many thanks in advance

Tristan · Jan 4, 2016

It seems like it may be dinoflagellates but I am not completely sure.

Lionfish Lair · Jan 4, 2016

I think you're probably right, Tristan.

brandon429 · Jan 4, 2016

Let's do an aggregate test to see:

http://reef2reef.com/threads/helpful-method-for-identifying-dinoflagellates.216508/

Wiz · Jan 4, 2016

I don't see any air bubbles. It looks like its in there pretty strong. I would expect to see them. Looks more like brown slime to me. doesn't look as stringy as dino either. Imo

brandon429 · Jan 4, 2016

I'm leaning towards slime or cyano as well, all colors are possible with cyano. That aggregation test is pretty neat though, uses physicality and regrouping to tell since colors can be tricky. Agreed on the bubbles too and just shy of the bubbles that wispy growth everywhere looks like dinos too, time for a filter test ~

joe_ayres · Jan 5, 2016

Ok thanks guys I've siphon everything out so I'll see how long it takes to come back all my tests seem to be find so I'm out of answers

Wiz · Jan 5, 2016

The dino that I had would be coming back in 20-30 mins. Within 4-5 hours it would be like I never syphoned it. Astonishing how fast it could regrow. Slime or cyano would take atleast a day or two.

shollis2814 · Jan 5, 2016

Hey, sorry to piggyback, but a followup question.
Can dinos look like long threads randomly attached to glass? I have been battling vermetids and thought I might be dealing with dirty snail snot, but now I am thinking I have long colonies of dinos.

Wiz · Jan 5, 2016

They can grow on anything and everything. Pics? Air bubbles at the tip of strands? Sticky or no?

shollis2814 · Jan 5, 2016

Not at home, so I can't do pictures yet. My substrate looks a lot like the picture above, but I have seen random strings of what I thought was vermetid slime attached to the glass with no visible organism at the base. There is also some over some yellow star polyps. I have increased/redirected powerhead flow towards the substrate. Basically it looks like vermetid slime that's a little thicker and brown. I think I do remember some air bubbles.

Doing a siphon/10% water change today anyway. I'll do the aggregate test on some of the water I take out.

Wiz · Jan 5, 2016

Sounds like it could be dino. But ill wait in the pics. Dini in my experience grow really fast! And would cover your tank in less than a week. Hoe long you had the strings?

shollis2814 · Jan 5, 2016

They have been there for a while, but my tank is not covered. I'd say there are patches over the substrate and some rocks. But, I keep my nitrates low and use RO/DI water so there may be some limiting factors. I had a 2 week sinus infection where I did not keep up with my maintenance well.

I have some Purigen I could put in the tank regardless. That should help reduce what they are feeding on be it dinos or brown slime, yes?

Wiz · Jan 5, 2016

Dinos are nearly impossible to starve out or kill off. If its dinos you are in for a long hard fight. Cyano is much much easier. Ill cross my fingers.