What your green algae really looks like

[Mr31415]

Any healthy reef aquarium has a continuous growth of green micro algae on the inside glass panels, which we duly scrape off with the magfloat whenever it becomes visible enough. Snails, as well as some fish like the lawnmower blenny, eat these algae.

Here is what I am talking about.

I was curious as to what exactly this layer of algae is comprised of. So I took a sample and put it under the microscope. Magnified to the same level one would view red blood cells under, it is clear about 95% consists of Eutreptiella euglenids (curious part plant part animal organisms that can photosynthesise and swim around) and about 5% of various diatoms, mostly Cylindrotheca sp. diatoms.

60x Objective, DIC

60x Objective, DIC, heavily cropped (see scale bar)

 

[SushiGirl]

Very cool! Thanks for posting these.

 

[potterjon]

yea it is cool. They are actually very pretty!

 

[Michigan Mike]

Sweet pics!

 

[gone fishin]

Nice to see what something looks like under the microscope. Thanks

 

[JaYbIrD1969]

Cool! What are the bright orange o.o.f. things in the first pic? Amazing detail youre getting in thes photos. How about a sample from refugium detritus?...Or skimmate?

 

[Mr31415]

Anthias. I did, here and here.

 

[mayjong]

very cool pics, here and in the links!

 

[ReeferBatman]

Awesome!

 

[aleggett321]

Fantastic! If I had a microscope like that I'd never be able to get anything done, I'd be glued to it. Fascinating. Thanks for sharing.