Diatoms or cyano???

[mattstanks2016]

So I have a moderately old tank (1-2 years) and I have something growing on the sand-bed that just showed up... Didn't have it yesterday that I noticed. I starting using a new food last night, but I don't know how that could have caused it. I have access to a microscope during the week days and will check it out but wanted to see what everyone thought. Here are some photos.

 

[mattstanks2016]

Also I have around 2000 galling per hour (flow) pumping through the tank

 

[Cory]

It looks like wither cyanobacteria,diatoms or dinoflagellates. Can you get a closer pic?

 

[mattstanks2016]

It looks like wither cyanobacteria,diatoms or dinoflagellates. Can you get a closer pic?

 

[rbraunberger]

following

 

[Cory]

Its brown and not purpleiah right? Thats diatoms. They use silicate. Could be in your food, but doubt it. Most likely its from the freshwater your adding to replace evaporation. Also could be your sand if its not calcium based like coral sand. Or aragonite. But if its silica sand then it leaches low concentrations of silicate, especially when disturbed or moved lots.

 

[mattstanks2016]

Its brown and not purpleiah right? Thats diatoms. They use silicate. Could be in your food, but doubt it. Most likely its from the freshwater your adding to replace evaporation. Also could be your sand if its not calcium based like coral sand. Or aragonite. But if its silica sand then it leaches low concentrations of silicate, especially when disturbed or moved lots.

It looks more redish which makes me think that it could be Dinoflagellates but that could just be the light.

 

[Cory]

It looks more redish which makes me think that it could be Dinoflagellates but that could just be the light.

Ok it could be. If you can just leave on the white leds, abd take a close pic again, well be able to tell you.

If its cyano, imo its caused by dirty sand. I used to have cyano grow in the corners of my tank where food would settle. If your tanks sand hasn't been replaced or moved much in those years, id say cyano.

 

[mattstanks2016]

Ok it could be. If you can just leave on the white leds, abd take a close pic again, well be able to tell you.

If its cyano, imo its caused by dirty sand. I used to have cyano grow in the corners of my tank where food would settle. If your tanks sand hasn't been replaced or moved much in those years, id say cyano.

Ok, so I started thinking about silicates and when I replaced the to filter last. I checked the date I bought it December 18 and realized I have put over 600 gallons into it without replacing it. I am getting a new filter and will do a 20% water change with some nice 0tds water

 

[Cory]

Ok, so I started thinking about silicates and when I replaced the to filter last. I checked the date I bought it December 18 and realized I have put over 600 gallons into it without replacing it. I am getting a new filter and will do a 20% water change with some nice 0tds water

What kind of filter? Thats cyano and the dont use silicate but may be using organics in your water to top off evaporation

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

two little fishies makes my tank break out in the cyano almost instantly.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

two little fishies makes my tank break out in the cyano almost instantly.

What product?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

What product?

Marine Snow. In my 55 I can feed hard for weeks with no cyano(flake pellet frozen bottle zoo/phyto live phyto) Marine snow Its the next day.
In my 30g(Young tank) it seems fine.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks.