Bubble Algae or Dinoflagellates?

[BWilly1982]

I just started a new 90 gallon tank. Just 8 days into the cycle and I have woke up this morning and have found these all over the sand, chaeto and live rock. (only in the refugium). I called the local fish store and the lady told me that it is just brown algae/ diatoms and common during the cycle. Looking at pictures on google, it looks just like dino. Anyone have any experience with this?

-some live rock, some dead rock appx 90 lbs
-100lbs of live sand
-currently running the skimmer 24/7
-I was running the refugium light 24/7 (have since blacked it out until I identify what is going on)
-Doesn't look slimy. (I read Dino is Slimy)

 

[divetoday]

From what I can see, it looks like you've got some bubble algae (valonia sp?) along with something that might be briopsis (?). I'm educating myself a lot about algae recently, good luck.

 

[runjmc2]

bubble algae. My foxface would love that and have it all cleared it a day.

 

[Coelli]

Bubble algae is usually green, stays close/attached to the rocks, has a firm "shell," and doesn't crop up overnight (starts out small and grows from there). There's no actual air in it and it doesn't float from strings. I think you can rule it out as being the bulk of it.

 

[maxxII]

That is not bubble algae, (valonia). That appears to be cyano which is producing gas bubbles.

 

[BWilly1982]

The sand is covered. The bubbles attached themselves to the chaeto and is now floating. The chaeto has some patches of white and some small patches are brown. Do I need to worry about this since it is a week into cycling?

 

[sidewinder2180]

That is not bubble algae, (valonia). That appears to be cyano which is producing gas bubbles.

+1 The bubbles are O2 as alage consumes CO2 and releases O2. Bubble alage is green and attached to the rock I have had bubble alage and thats not it. Cyano or brown alage is what im thinking.

 

[sidewinder2180]

The sand is covered. The bubbles attached themselves to the chaeto and is now floating. The chaeto has some patches of white and some small patches are brown. Do I need to worry about this since it is a week into cycling?

What light are you running over the Chato. Alage is a normal part of cycling.

 

[BWilly1982]

Should I be worried? Or do I just settle down and let it run its course? Maybe it will be taken care of once the CUC is introduced?

 

[BWilly1982]

The light is a 16W Daylight LED - 5000K I'm replacing it with a 6500K LED as soon as Amazon delivers it.

 

[maxxII]

Should I be worried? Or do I just settle down and let it run its course? Maybe it will be taken care of once the CUC is introduced?

Wait it out until the cycle has run its course.
Once its run its course, if you still have the cyano, you can use a couple of different methods to remove it.

I've had good results using chemi-clean in the past.

 

[BWilly1982]

Thanks Maxx. I have read some horror stories about dinoflagellates. I have a ton of money into this thing already, would hate to have to start over.

 

[sidewinder2180]

Wait it out until the cycle has run its course.
Once its run its course, if you still have the cyano, you can use a couple of different methods to remove it.

I've had good results using chemi-clean in the past.

+1 just wait for the cycle to end then if there is some you can deal with it . The chato may need more light most people including myself run a CFL from Home Depot ratted at 6500k in a cheap refletor that seem to provide the best results.

 

[maxxII]

Keep your chaeto turning over, and if necessary, shake the cyano off the chaeto. Cheato will eventually take over.

 

[sidewinder2180]

Thanks Maxx. I have read some horror stories about dinoflagellates. I have a ton of money into this thing already, would hate to have to start over.

Its easier to deal with in the beginning without live stock. And its very common even normal! You wont have to start over. Just be patient! Thats the biggest thing!

 

[BWilly1982]

Thanks Sidewinder, I am trying to be as patient as possible. Just got a little scared. I went to Home Depot and to Lowes, couldn't find any lights over 5000K. Not sure if they stopped making them but I swear I looked at every box in there. I also talked to the people working there.. couldn't find them either. That's when they gave me this light that I have currently.

Thanks Maxx, I have been lifting it out of the water to get rid of all the bubbles, then it sinks back down to the bottom of the tank.

 

[maxxII]

Siphon it out. Less mess, less trouble.

Dont fret too much about this.
It can cause problems by overgrowing corals....but where you're at in the cycle, it's not an issue.

 

[sidewinder2180]

No problem I know how frustrating it can be! Yep a siphon and after the cycle is over water changes are good. I just got a 4 bulb pack yesterday at my local Home Depot I'm in CA. 10 bucks. I found them on there website then went to get them. There Phillips CFL 6500k bulbs I looked them up online they give the Kelvin of all the bulbs online makes it easier.

PS Welcome too Reef Central I see you just joined today.

 

[BWilly1982]

Thanks guys... My 5 year old son wanted a fish... so we got a 10 gallon tank with a gold fish... Then about 2 months later, I decided it was appropriate to start a 90 gallon salt water tank.... I have spent more time researching salt water tanks than all 4 years of college combined. And I still have no idea *** I am doing... HAHA. It's a lot of fun so far.

 

[maxxII]

Thanks guys... My 5 year old son wanted a fish... so we got a 10 gallon tank with a gold fish... Then about 2 months later, I decided it was appropriate to start a 90 gallon salt water tank.... I have spent more time researching salt water tanks than all 4 years of college combined. And I still have no idea *** I am doing... HAHA. It's a lot of fun so far.

I've been keeping saltwater tanks since 1986, and I still dont know what I'm doing. You'll get to a point where you THINK you know what you're doing...

Regardless, it's rewarding and frustrating all at the same time.

Good on you for bringing your kid into the hobby. Mine are sorta interested in it, but the tank is on the unfished side of the house, so we dont let them over there too much. They'll probably get more interested as they get older,(and I dont have to worry about them dropping pennies etc into the tank...)