Ok, Give the Bad News...

kzziboy · 11/07/2016, 03:39 PM

What is this? Diatoms? Cyano?
Tank is 75 gallons and only 2 months old but live rock and quite a bit of the water came directly out of a 55 I upgraded from.
Just tested water params. Salifert test kits for Nitrate, Magnesium, and Phosphate. Nitrates and phosphate show zero. Magnesium a bit low at 1050. Ph is at 7.9. Calcium and alkalinity a bit low as well. Can't remember the numbers as I am not at home now. IMG_2755.jpg IMG_2754.jpg

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AlSimmons · 11/07/2016, 03:45 PM

It looks more like Dinoflagellates to me.

http://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

kzziboy · 11/07/2016, 04:29 PM

I read what it says... Do I really have to take out the sand bed and boil it and such? Is it advisable to try to up the alkalinity and PH as suggested? I was going to dose Kalk for a bit to get those totals up. Or is that a lost cause?

AlSimmons · 11/07/2016, 05:24 PM

If you've got the time you might want to read through the link below. Very informative.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...inoflagellates

Lsufan · 11/07/2016, 09:54 PM

I would give it time before I did anything drastic. Maybe syphon it out during water changes & see if it goes away on it's on. Your tank will go through different stages of algae for a while. Even though u used your live rock it is still a new tank.

xanthurum · 11/07/2016, 10:43 PM

Just chill, diatoms are completely normal. Happens in every new tank and goes away on its own. Relax and read the forums and take time to enjoy the hobby.

ryeguyy84 · 11/08/2016, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kzziboy

I read what it says... Do I really have to take out the sand bed and boil it and such? Is it advisable to try to up the alkalinity and PH as suggested? I was going to dose Kalk for a bit to get those totals up. Or is that a lost cause?

I wouldn't recommend boiling anything in the hobby. you never know what you're boiling and how it will effect you and everyone else in the house.

DasCamel · 11/08/2016, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryeguyy84

I wouldn't recommend boiling anything in the hobby. you never know what you're boiling and how it will effect you and everyone else in the house.

+1

Don't weaponize your reef!

kzziboy · 11/08/2016, 10:55 AM

So what do most think? Is it diatoms or dinoflagellates? I'm not going to do anything drastic now. Just wanted to see what I had on my hands for sure...
Thanks for any additional input!

ryeguyy84 · 11/08/2016, 11:51 AM

My vote is diatoms, let it run its course, common in new tanks

11/07/2016, 03:39 PM	#1
kzziboy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Spearfish, SD Posts: 187	Ok, Give the Bad News... What is this? Diatoms? Cyano? Tank is 75 gallons and only 2 months old but live rock and quite a bit of the water came directly out of a 55 I upgraded from. Just tested water params. Salifert test kits for Nitrate, Magnesium, and Phosphate. Nitrates and phosphate show zero. Magnesium a bit low at 1050. Ph is at 7.9. Calcium and alkalinity a bit low as well. Can't remember the numbers as I am not at home now. IMG_2755.jpg IMG_2754.jpg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ kzziboy Current Tank Info: 75 gallon. 4-48" T5's 2 10k and 2 actinic

11/07/2016, 04:29 PM	#3
kzziboy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Spearfish, SD Posts: 187	I read what it says... Do I really have to take out the sand bed and boil it and such? Is it advisable to try to up the alkalinity and PH as suggested? I was going to dose Kalk for a bit to get those totals up. Or is that a lost cause? __________________ kzziboy Current Tank Info: 75 gallon. 4-48" T5's 2 10k and 2 actinic

11/07/2016, 10:43 PM	#6
xanthurum Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Surprise Arizona Posts: 915	Just chill, diatoms are completely normal. Happens in every new tank and goes away on its own. Relax and read the forums and take time to enjoy the hobby. __________________ Why is this so addictive. Current Tank Info: You want to know just ask

11/08/2016, 10:55 AM	#9
kzziboy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Spearfish, SD Posts: 187	So what do most think? Is it diatoms or dinoflagellates? I'm not going to do anything drastic now. Just wanted to see what I had on my hands for sure... Thanks for any additional input! __________________ kzziboy Current Tank Info: 75 gallon. 4-48" T5's 2 10k and 2 actinic

11/08/2016, 11:51 AM	#10
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	My vote is diatoms, let it run its course, common in new tanks __________________ Current tank: 90G mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

11/07/2016, 03:45 PM	#2
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	It looks more like Dinoflagellates to me. http://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

11/07/2016, 05:24 PM	#4
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	If you've got the time you might want to read through the link below. Very informative. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...inoflagellates

11/07/2016, 09:54 PM	#5
Lsufan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 1,410	I would give it time before I did anything drastic. Maybe syphon it out during water changes & see if it goes away on it's on. Your tank will go through different stages of algae for a while. Even though u used your live rock it is still a new tank.