Die "algae" die! Urgent

[emcmilla]

Can someone confirm if this is dino algae. It's weird, the one picture shows how it dislodges itself from the sand/rock and floats to the top of the tank. It looks like dino but I am not sure. (I also posted this in the Chemistry section not knowing where I would get the best results)

Thanks

 

[Amphiprion]

It's possible, though at first glance, it could also be cyanobacteria. The best way to tell is to either get or borrow a microscope (or bring a sample). Some genera are large enough that you can actually see them (still tiny, though), so the mats and films can have a "grainy" appearance to them.

 

[emcmilla]

Where would I get it tested? If it was cyano, would it dislodge from the LR and LS by itself and float to the top? It does appear to have bubbles at the top sometimes, but not always...I am really worried about it killing my critters I have taken out as much as possible manually and am running carbon and phosban. I have also lowered my light intensity to 50% as per advice from my LFS

 

[Amphiprion]

Where would I get it tested? If it was cyano, would it dislodge from the LR and LS by itself and float to the top? It does appear to have bubbles at the top sometimes, but not always...I am really worried about it killing my critters I have taken out as much as possible manually and am running carbon and phosban. I have also lowered my light intensity to 50% as per advice from my LFS

Yes, even cyanobacteria can do that, but the bubbles evolving from dinoflagellate mats are usually greater. Dinoflagellates are also usually in semi-transparent mats/mucilage.

As far as testing goes, check your LFS first--you'd be surprised that quite a few may have a microscope on hand. After that, maybe contacting a school or college would be the next bet. Just let them know what you are trying to look at. Some folks in the latter might be fairly interested in taking a look themselves.

However, before you do any of the above, familiarize yourself with what these microorganisms look like under a 'scope. The dinoflagellate thread in the chem forum has quite a few pics of them that you can peruse. One member on that thread, Pants, is a researcher and has a dedicated website on them.

 

[emcmilla]

okay. thanks. I have been researching both dino and cyano. I just thought it appeared more similar to dino. Again, thanks for responding and giving me some direction. Also, in your opinion, which is worse (and more toxic) to have; dino or cyano?

Thanks!

 

[Amphiprion]

In my experience, dinoflagellates by far. I can't recall much mortality associated with more common cyanobacteria in aquaria, except for some Lyngbya I've dealt with before.

 

[emcmilla]

ok. thats good to know..at least once I id whatever it is in my tank I will be prepared, or shall I say, more aware of the potential toxicity.