ID Please - coating flat surfaces, thin matt, Scope Pictures Included

[Daveobrien]

I've got this thin (~1mm) costing of matt like algae growing on flat surfaces of my frag tank. Seems photo synthetic, doesn't grow in the shade. Snails don't seem to like it. When I scrape, it comes off in slight sheets. Overall redish-brown colored.

I have Dinos in my display tank, so microscope is out regularly. Put some of this under the microscope. Basically zero movement, this doesn't appear to be massive dinos. I don't think this is the structure of Cyano. But not an expert.

ID help please

• (two scope photos are same slide, with different focus)
• (frag tank photo shows the spot I collected the sample on the floor of the tank, left side mid tank.)

 

[Rtaylor]

Idk about the scope pics, but your tank shot looks like cyano

 

[Daveobrien]

Idk about the scope pics, but your tank shot looks like cyano

The photo kind of looks like cyano, but in person it doesn't look like it at all. The Scope picture doesn't look like Cyano at all to me.

 

[Daveobrien]

#reefsquad - any ideas?

 

[Eagle_Steve]

@taricha any thoughts?

 

[nereefpat]

Looks like cyanobacteria.

 

[dwest]

I agree the macro pics look like cyano but scope shots do not. Also OP doesn’t think cyano. No motion so I don’t think dinos. The color doesn’t match up perfectly but I suspect chrysophytes.

golden algae

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Daveobrien]

I agree the macro pics look like cyano but scope shots do not. Also OP doesn’t think cyano. No motion so I don’t think dinos. The color doesn’t match up perfectly but I suspect chrysophytes.

Thanks for the interpretation and the links.
There were questions on color, so here's a photo under LEDs set to "white." For reference, that's a classic red monti-cap in the immediate front.

 

[nereefpat]

Now, that looks different. When I zoom in, it looks more fuzzy or bristly than cyano might look.

 

[Daveobrien]

Now, that looks different. When I zoom in, it looks more fuzzy or bristly than cyano might look.

Agreed. Not Cyano.

 

[Idoc]

Scope pic looks more like Chrysophytes

 

[taricha]

@taricha any thoughts?

It's a dino, in my opinion but there is not enough detail to ID which kind.

 

[Daveobrien]

It's a dino, in my opinion but there is not enough detail to ID which kind.

I'll fix that with a new scope run tonight. In the mean time, here's a snap of had of it zoomed in. Not as good as I'd like, but it's ready now.

 

[Daveobrien]

@taricha - new sample, new microscope pictures from tonight

No movement at all, so didn't bother with video
1. basic picture
2. zoomed in to see better
3. different zoomed location

 

[taricha]

I take it back. Those are all going to be diatoms, something like coscinodiscus. They are like hamburgers, the different shapes just come from seeing them at different angles.
google photo for comparison

 

[Daveobrien]

I take it back. Those are all going to be diatoms, something like coscinodiscus. They are like hamburgers, the different shapes just come from seeing them at different angles.
google photo for comparison

BINGO! That's exactly what they look like when I scroll around the microscope slide. I didn't realize this could be a diatom.

The rapid grow of this stuff is explained!
This is in my frag tank, sharing common sump with display setup. Display tank is fighting LCA dinos, so I've been dosing Silica, finally up to the 2-3ppm range. And now I know who's comsuming it.

As an FYI, this is Not where I need diatoms to out complete dinos. I need it in the display tank. Therefore, my treatment is going to be simple. Drain, Bleach, and Dry the frag tank and racks. Then refill, and move livestock back in. Yes, the livestock will still have these diatoms on them, but It'll greatly reduce the volume in the system right away. Task for this weekend!

 

[Daveobrien]

Update for those who helped.
- Life stock moved out (it helps to have twin frag tanks)
- Frag tank drained
- tank cleaned and a touch of bleach in the driveway
- reinstalled & refilled
- Livestock moved back. (Hint, those are sparkly clean walls and tank floor)

 

[Gabe]

Love the follow-up. Keep us posted in a week or two to see if it comes back?

 

[Daveobrien]

+1wk Update.
Tank still looks nice and clean. There appears to be a very small patch possibly regrowing on the tank floor, back left corner. It's interesting, this is in the slight shadows. Still get's light, but there is plenty of other floor space in more direct light.
Nothing a slight scraper wont handle.