Are these dinos or diatoms?

[Thatfishyguy]

Hi all!

New reefer here and new to reef2reef also! Glad to be on board so I’ve recently setup a fluval evo 13.5. Tanks been running about a month now and just finished cycling.

Parameters
PH- 8
Dkh -8
Phosphate - 0.3 (I know it’s high but was told is normal with newly cycled tank?)
Nitrate - 8-10
Saltilinity- 1.026-1.027

Just wondering are these photos below diatoms or the dreaded dinos?? I believe they are diatoms but just wanted to make sure from a more expert point of view as I know most of you know the initial start up of a reef as a beginner you’ve lots of doubts and worries!
Cheers all

 

[dcsorrell]

Diatoms scatter like dust when you touch them, whereas dinos are, forgive me, rather snot-like. Color's similar, so can't be certain from photos.

 

[Thatfishyguy]

Diatoms scatter like dust when you touch them, whereas dinos are, forgive me, rather snot-like. Color's similar, so can't be certain from photos.

Oh these are like dust when I hit ‘em with the turkey baster must be diatoms so. Is it the same for the rocks? Thanks!

 

[AFHokie]

Can’t say for sure from photos but that looks like diatoms. Dinos are more “substantial”…? Don’t know how to say it. Diatoms kind of stick to the rock like dust whereas dinos look more like algae material that often clumps together or is stringy.

If that makes any sense at all

 

[mckinney0171]

With phosphate at that level it’s most likely diatoms. Dinos usually show up when your levels drop to zero.

 

[Garf]

Hi all!

New reefer here and new to reef2reef also! Glad to be on board so I’ve recently setup a fluval evo 13.5. Tanks been running about a month now and just finished cycling.

Parameters
PH- 8
Dkh -8
Phosphate - 0.3 (I know it’s high but was told is normal with newly cycled tank?)
Nitrate - 8-10
Saltilinity- 1.026-1.027

Just wondering are these photos below diatoms or the dreaded dinos?? I believe they are diatoms but just wanted to make sure from a more expert point of view as I know most of you know the initial start up of a reef as a beginner you’ve lots of doubts and worries!
Cheers all

Could be any number of things, but doesn’t look abnormal for a new tank.

 

[dcsorrell]

Oh these are like dust when I hit ‘em with the turkey baster must be diatoms so. Is it the same for the rocks? Thanks!

Same for the rocks, yes. You're welcome!