Is This Dino or Diatom?

[blcktitanium]

Could someone help me identify this algae? I don't know if it is Diatom or Dino they all look the same to me. However, I'm thinking it's diatom as it is not slimy or stringy looking like pictures of dino that I have seen but I could be totally wrong.

 

[jccaclimber]

When I've had dinos it was almost like a cyano outbreak, except brown with air bubbles in it. If it's thin I'll call it diatoms.

 

[DiscusHeckel]

It looks like diatom/algae. Dinoflagellates look like snotty/slimy.

 

[bertoni]

That might be diatoms, but it could be a light infestation of dinoflagellates or cyanobacteria. The first choice for treatment are about the same, in any case. You'd need a microscope to be sure.

 

[sonnus]

It looks like diatoms to me but here is a possible way to help you distinguish it. I've suggested this method to quite a few people and it seems to usually help to identify between dinoflagellates and other algae. First, siphon the algae (or organism?) into a clear container, usually about a gallon. Once you have a decent amount shake the container vigorously or stir it if you don't have a lid. Let the water sit and after about 15 minutes start swirling the container gently to provide a bit of flow in the container.

Dinoflagellates will disperse in the container completely and will tint the water slightly brown after shaking with no trace of any clumps remaining. Once they've been left sitting in ambient light for about 15-30 minutes they will organize back together (re-congeal) into their typical snotty appearance.

Cyanobacteria will typically stay matted together after shaking and you'll see little bits floating around. They will not organize back together after sitting for 15-30 minutes.

Diatoms will usually disperse when shaken into a brownish tint but sometimes bits stay together like the cyano. They will also not reorganize after 15-30 minutes.

 

[sonnus]

Also, the fact that your rock it white suggests that this is a typical diatom bloom that many of us experience when starting new tanks. Turbo snails love diatoms and 1-2 per 10 pounds of rock would probably clean your rock off in a few days (maybe even just 24 hours).

 

[bertoni]

That's an interesting observation about dinoflagellates reorganizing. I will have to check, but as I recall, neither cyanobacteria nor diatoms have flagella, so that point makes sense.

 

[sonnus]

That's an interesting observation about dinoflagellates reorganizing. I will have to check, but as I recall, neither cyanobacteria nor diatoms have flagella, so that point makes sense.

This was a completely accidental thing I stumbled on. Once, after sucking a bunch of dinos out of my tank into a 5 gallon bucket I left it outside in the sun for a while. The water was essentially clear initially but after about an hour later there were large colonies of dinos organized back together. I stirred the water back up and the water turned clear again but after about another 10 minutes the dinos started forming colonies again. It was a bit bizarre at first but it seems to be a reliable method in my experiences.