Can you tell what this is?

[Yates273]

So I picked up a digital microscope to assist with algae identification and this was the best I can get from this microscope. I grabbed this algae off a rock that was swaying with a bubble. This is the best I could get. I can’t seem to get closer to see if it is Dino’s. I’m just not sure if I need to or this is just diatoms. I’m thinking this microscope may not be good enough

 

[MnFish1]

So I picked up a digital microscope to assist with algae identification and this was the best I can get from this microscope. I grabbed this algae off a rock that was swaying with a bubble. This is the best I could get. I can’t seem to get closer to see if it is Dino’s. I’m just not sure if I need to or this is just diatoms. I’m thinking this microscope may not be good enough

Could you take a big picture of it as well as the microscopic one?

 

[takitaj]

You're going to need 400x or (preferably) higher magnification for solid ID. A pic of it on the rock(s) is helpful as MnFish1 asked. If it's a snotty glob it could be dinoflagellates. The higher magnification will be needed to determine species and possible course of action if it is. If you watch carefully, can you see any movement within the glob? It will be very subtle at that magnification.

 

[Yates273]

So this is what I bought and here are the larger pictures. Tank is pretty new also. About 3 months old
Forgive me for the other algae trying to let that grow to outcompete Dino’s if I have them.

 

[takitaj]

That seems like an adequate magnification scope. Crank up the magnification and repost a pic or video even better. Could be dinos. Post high magnification pics or videos of both from the sand and from the rocks. The higher the better. You want to be able to see the individual cells.

 

[Yates273]

That seems like an adequate magnification scope. Crank up the magnification and repost a pic or video even better. Could be dinos. Post high magnification pics or videos of both from the sand and from the rocks. The higher the better. You want to be able to see the individual cells.

When I magnify it gets blurry even when I fine tune. I don’t think this scope is meant for this it doesn’t focus very well when I adjust to “1000x”. The only thing I was able to see was a bunch of very small dots in like a gel moving like a worm

 

[Jedi1199]

I know exactly what that is!! It is a photograph!

 

[Yates273]

Do I need to use a glass slide amd a cover to make it work?

 

[takitaj]

I think you're right. It's not the right kind. Sorry I should have looked more carefully. Digital gets blurry or pixellated at higher magnification. You need one that has optical magnification. Like a standard type where you rotate the nosepiece. Try over at amscope.com. They have lots of good ones and at pretty good prices. Look for at least 400x to 1000x (higher is ok too). Looks like they're have a big sale too.

 

[Yates273]

Okay so now I bought a cheaper microscope. This is the best I can get now
Can anyone tell me exactly what this is? Looks like a bunch of small dots not moving around. I do see some clear worms wiggling around in it though. Also it seems like the dots are inside of a gel because when I move slide they all “jiggle” together