Cyano or Dino

[NS Mike D]

I dont have a microscope, I could ask around for someone nearby who does

I highly recommend one as part of your reef equipment. A wrong identification can lead to a lot of misery. A basic school science microscope will do and won't break the bank. Given the investment in corals and that you can lose them, it well worth it to be sure with what you are dealing. Read the Dino thread, meanwhile. There are some ways to rule in and out certain strains of Dinos. I thought I was dealing with cyano (and I'm sure there was some) but I bottomed out my nutrients and that stressed the corals and fueled a 2 year battle with Dinos which resulted in a tank tear down and redo. Had I only gotten a microscope and posted in the Dino thread to begin with, likely I would have saved a mortgage payment or two in replacing corals not to mention the depression with a sickly tank.

 

[XtraKargo]

Thank you for posting this thread. I've learned a lot! I'm dealing with a similar thing and have a microscopeto check. May have to try this out and see what I have here.

Reading through the whole thread, mine clumps when vacuuming, bubbles up, disappears at night, and my nitrates are below 4. I think they're above 2. I'm using a Red Sea titration test.

This is interesting. Thank you.

 

[XtraKargo]

Camera 1x

Camera 2.9x

Microscope 4x

Daughter 12yr

MS 10x (a lot of movement)

MS 40x