Dinos in cycling tank

[spamvicious]

I’m 4 ish weeks into a cycle and have just started getting what I think are dinos on the sand and rocks. I’ve only been running my lights for a week after I added a couple of soft corals. I have them on 9am till 8pm and the whites are on some of that time.

I can’t add any cuc as I still have high nitrites even though the ammonia has been 0 for two weeks and nitrate is around 10ppm. Should I try to manually remove the stuff from the sand or just leave it be for now?.

 

[rhitee93]

A picture might help with ID, but that would be about the right time for diatoms to show up. You might look into those before you get too worried.

 

[Ajayabb]

Show us some pics if you can. It’s unusual to get Dino’s on new startup. More likely diatoms

 

[spamvicious]

Some pictures

 

[Gumbies R Us]

They look more like diatoms to me

 

[Jasongtr]

If you're that concerned get a sample under a microscope, nothing fancy a £50 will suffice but as mentioned would be uncommon to be dinos this early. Where in the uk are you?

 

[spamvicious]

They look more like diatoms to me

Even the stringy stuff on the rocks?. What’s the best approach?

 

[spamvicious]

If you're that concerned get a sample under a microscope, nothing fancy a £50 will suffice but as mentioned would be uncommon to be dinos this early. Where in the uk are you?

I’m not concerned I’m just asking for the best way to deal with it. I’m in West Yorkshire.

 

[Ajayabb]

I agree. Looks like diatoms. They can form mats and trap air bubble They will slowly dissipate as your tank matures.

 

[Jasongtr]

I’m not concerned I’m just asking for the best way to deal with it. I’m in West Yorkshire.

Fair enough, if it were dinos you should be concerned, but unlikely it is

 

[spamvicious]

Does anyone know what the toxicity levels are for nitrites with inverts?. I know nitrite isn’t as toxic in saltwater as it is in freshwater. I’m looking at getting some snails and a conch to help with the ugly stage.