Diatoms or Brown Algae

[kiwis]

I'm trying to work out the cause of my brown algae break out.

I've posted before on this but want to angle my question a different way.

My tank:
It's about 4-5 months old, cycled by dropping in some fish bits and watching the ammonia spike then settle, nitrate and then nitrite spike before both settling. During this time, I got extreme algae, could hardly see in the tank.

Once Nirite's settled down, I added 2 small fish, then one more. All was going well until 3 weeks ago and boom.

What's happening?
My glass will have a light dusting of brown algae within a few days. Leave it slightly longer and small brown 'furry' things start growing on my substrate and slightly less on the glass.

My coral rock which started to clear and back to a deep brown and completely covered in brown algae

My Stats
Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate all near 0, Phosphate near 0 I'm using API kits so can't be 100% but the colours are closer to 0 then the next marker.

I have Purigen in my sump.

I'm using RO/DI water.

My question

• Are these Diatoms?
• Can you get multiple Diatom Blooms?
• What is causing this if it's not Diatoms?
• Can you test for Diatoms?
• What should I do?

 

[saltyhog]

Can you post a picture? Does the brown algae go away when the lights are out? Is it on the sand, rock and glass? Any bubbles or "snot" looking stuff?

 

[kiwis]

Can you post a picture? Does the brown algae go away when the lights are out? Is it on the sand, rock and glass? Any bubbles or "snot" looking stuff?

here you go, recently cleaned so not the best.

I think they're Diatoms but had a very similar bloom during cycling, hence my question. If they are, why are they back?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Have you put any coral in this tank yet?
Was the dry rock new? Or used?

What’s the Po4 and no4 the last time you checked it.

 

[kiwis]

Have you put any coral in this tank yet?
Was the dry rock new? Or used?

What’s the Po4 and no4 the last time you checked it.

No coral
Dry rock
Po4 and no4 in my original post.

 

[saltyhog]

Not diatoms, very worrisome for dinoflagellates. If you have access to a microscope, a picture of the stuff would be definitive. I have a video of some dinos I'll post later when I have a moment.

 

[IslandLifeReef]

Po4 and no4 in my original post.

Original post says near zero. What test kits and what does near zero mean? 0.2 PO4 is near 0, but high by most standards.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Not diatoms, very worrisome for dinoflagellates. If you have access to a microscope, a picture of the stuff would be definitive. I have a video of some dinos I'll post later when I have a moment.

I wonder where they came from , is what’s puzzling me.
No introduction save perhaps fish.

 

[kiwis]

Not diatoms, very worrisome for dinoflagellates. If you have access to a microscope, a picture of the stuff would be definitive. I have a video of some dinos I'll post later when I have a moment.

Why are you so sure? On a local Facebook group wit the same photos people were adamant they were diatoms

 

[kiwis]

Original post says near zero. What test kits and what does near zero mean? 0.2 PO4 is near 0, but high by most standards.

That’s in the original post also.

 

[40B Knasty]

Crossing my fingers that it is bubble algae and diatoms.
You say the tank has been up for 4 to 5 months. How long has the tank been cycled for?
Cause if you went through the diatoms phase. My bet is now towards cyanobacteria or dinoflagellats.

 

[dwest]

Why are you so sure? On a local Facebook group wit the same photos people were adamant they were diatoms

You’ll get many opinions, although dinos is my first bet. I hope not for you however. I’d get the microscope below and check. Just about $12. Post a video from your phone on mcarroll dino thread.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071JQFXC4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[saltyhog]

Why are you so sure? On a local Facebook group wit the same photos people were adamant they were diatoms

They may be right but I've never had diatoms that looked like that.

I'm not at all sure. That's just what it most resembles. If you can get access to a microscope, this is what one species of dinos look like. Others may move differently but will have a somewhat similar appearance.

Another possibility might be an unusual cyanobacteria.

I wonder where they came from , is what’s puzzling me.
No introduction save perhaps fish.

That is a great question. I imagine a few drops of water on a fish could be the source. Spores might even survive on old dry rock? Sometimes I think the dang things are ubiquitous!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

They may be right but I've never had diatoms that looked like that.

I'm not at all sure. That's just what it most resembles. If you can get access to a microscope, this is what one species of dinos look like. Others may move differently but will have a somewhat similar appearance.

Another possibility might be an unusual cyanobacteria.



That is a great question. I imagine a few drops of water on a fish could be the source. Spores might even survive on old dry rock? Sometimes I think the dang things are ubiquitous!

Exactly.
And yes , there are stringy bubbling diatoms , and then you need a scope.

 

[saltyhog]

Let's get some more eyes on this one. @reeferfoxx

 

[kiwis]

After my own research, I'm also thinking they are dinoflagellats!

Any advice on how to attempt removing them?

Later today I'll start the following
1. Vacuum as much off the rock and wall as possible
2. 3ml Hydrogen Peroxide daily
3. Lights out
4. Skimmer going 24 hours a day

This is based on this article - http://reefpursuits.com/dinoflagellates-in-your-reef-tank/

I'm happy to try a different approach if others have ideas.

 

[dwest]

After my own research, I'm also thinking they are dinoflagellats!

Any advice on how to attempt removing them?

Later today I'll start the following
1. Vacuum as much off the rock and wall as possible
2. 3ml Hydrogen Peroxide daily
3. Lights out
4. Skimmer going 24 hours a day

This is based on this article - http://reefpursuits.com/dinoflagellates-in-your-reef-tank/

I'm happy to try a different approach if others have ideas.

I would read the first page of the thread below and go from there.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dinoflagellates-–-are-you-tired-of-battling-altogether.293318/

 

[reeferfoxx]

Not sure what this is exactly but I saw something similar with a 10 gallon tank I set up. No coral only live rock. It did go away after I siphoned it out and did a 50% water change. Why are the lights on?

 

[kiwis]

I would read the first page of the thread below and go from there.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dinoflagellates-–-are-you-tired-of-battling-altogether.293318/

No immediate access to a microscope sadly

Bubbles are there, the tank is in darkness. this is normal for Dino's isn't it?

 

[dwest]

No immediate access to a microscope sadly

Bubbles are there, the tank is in darkness. this is normal for Dino's isn't it?

Mine bubbled more in light. Did you see my earlier post about $12 scope from amazon? IMO you will be guessing on what you have till you scope it.