What type of algae is this?
- Thread starter GoBigGuy
- Start date
I was thinking it might be this because of the small air bubbles
Calothrix
These species of cyano often appear as a light slimy yet hairy/fuzzy nastiness that loosely attaches to your rock work. Air bubbles are usually trapped while eascaping the "algae", just like in the picture to the left. Calothrix is a type of blue green algae that looks very similar to Dinos. We have them next to each other in the guide to help you distinguish the difference between the two.
Calothrix
These species of cyano often appear as a light slimy yet hairy/fuzzy nastiness that loosely attaches to your rock work. Air bubbles are usually trapped while eascaping the "algae", just like in the picture to the left. Calothrix is a type of blue green algae that looks very similar to Dinos. We have them next to each other in the guide to help you distinguish the difference between the two.
I agree, I'm 99% sure it's dinoflagellate. And... It looks like it's already out of control. The 100% definitive easy to know if it's dinos is to filter the algae through a filter sock into a bucket. Initially the water will just be brownish but after a few minutes the dinos will congeal back into colonies of dino algae.
Dinoflagellates are actually one of the easiest nuisance algae to treat. You will need to raise the pH up to 8.6 - 8.7. This will absolutely kill the dinos but it could kill fish and coral too if you don't do it slowly. I usually recommend increasing the pH 0.1 every day or two with kalkwasser. Also, since you have so many dinoflagellates I would recommend siphoning out as much as you can every day. Since you can easily filter these buggers out of the water you will need to siphon them and dispose of the water.
I have treated dozens of tanks this way ahs it has been 100% effective. The only problem is the elevated pH usually needs to be maintained for at least 3-6 months. Even after that long the dinos could come back as soon as the pH drops back to normal levels.
Dinoflagellates are actually one of the easiest nuisance algae to treat. You will need to raise the pH up to 8.6 - 8.7. This will absolutely kill the dinos but it could kill fish and coral too if you don't do it slowly. I usually recommend increasing the pH 0.1 every day or two with kalkwasser. Also, since you have so many dinoflagellates I would recommend siphoning out as much as you can every day. Since you can easily filter these buggers out of the water you will need to siphon them and dispose of the water.
I have treated dozens of tanks this way ahs it has been 100% effective. The only problem is the elevated pH usually needs to be maintained for at least 3-6 months. Even after that long the dinos could come back as soon as the pH drops back to normal levels.
