Please ID for me

[Bhorsky]

Hello is this Dinos, Cyano, or Diatomes? I know for a fact I have Hair algae on my back glass, but this is from the sand and it looks different.

*sorry for the rough pictures and video it was hard to get my phone to position right.

Phos is at 0.03 (Hanna ULR)

Nitrate has been a battle at 60ppm (Api, hanna HR is on the way)

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

Hello is this Dinos, Cyano, or Diatomes? I know for a fact I have Hair algae on my back glass, but this is from the sand and it looks different.

*sorry for the rough pictures and video it was hard to get my phone to position right.

No pictures are posted.

 

[Bhorsky]

No pictures are posted.

That's strange, they were. I re uploaded them again.

 

[Bhorsky]

No pictures are posted.

 

[Bhorsky]

Is there anything uploaded now?

 

[taricha]

Where in the tank did you pull that microscope video from? Is it from the dark mats on the sand?
Essentially all the cells in that video are diatoms.

 

[Bhorsky]

Where in the tank did you pull that microscope video from? Is it from the dark mats on the sand?
Essentially all the cells in that video are diatoms.

From the sand ya!

 

[Bhorsky]

Where in the tank did you pull that microscope video from? Is it from the dark mats on the sand?
Essentially all the cells in that video are diatoms.

So it makes sense because my nitrates are so high correct? I'm working on getting them lower

 

[taricha]

So it makes sense because my nitrates are so high correct? I'm working on getting them lower

I would say rather, it makes sense because diatoms are a very common growth form in the sand in tanks of all kinds. Especially new, but new or old with high or low nutrients. Diatoms grow well in a lot of systems. Many herbivores like pods or snails will gladly eat them as food. I would not be concerned by diatom growth. If it is too brown for my liking, I would just vacuum it out and not worry.

BTW, it's fine to bring nitrates down from 60, but don't obsess about it too much.