Test to tell different between cyano bacteria and algae

[g6gang]

Randy,

I think there is a way using a microscope to tell difference between bacteria and an algae, but do you know of a way to perform some sort of chemical test to do the same? I do not have possession of a scope.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I do not know of any sort of chemical test, short of DNA profiling.

What color is it?

 

[g6gang]

Green. When I blow it with baster it comes off in 'sheets'

 

[g6gang]

As an aside I just discovered that my RODI container fir ATO had tons of slime due to the exposure to air.. I am hoping this has been a big issue in this problem of green stuff and possibly nitrates...would be nice and kind of makes sense to me.. ah ha moment...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Well, I can see the confusion. It looks like an algae and behaves like cyano.

 

[g6gang]

I am going to consider it cyano because it comes off so easily and is now generating bubbles. Since my ato had a good amount of slime bacteria in it, I think it may have been a factor as well. I just switched over my container to a clean one and will see what happens. Plus my Scopas tang and lawnmower blenny pay no attention to it.