@ashquatics1: What IS that red slime in your reef tank? Cyanobacteria are a diverse group of Gram-negative photosynthetic bacteria that include many orders and families which can thrive in reef aquariums. The visible red slime you see is a biofilm, which is essentially a giant bacterial colony that can adhere to surfaces. The red color is due to the presence of photosynthetic pigments such as carotenoids which help the bacteria capture energy from light. So what’s the point of looking at it under the microscope? 🔬 Besides the fact that science is fun, microscopy allows you to see the cellular structure of cyanobacteria and can sometimes help determine which type you have in your reef tank. Nearly all reef inhabiting cyanobacteria form trichomes, which are chains of cells that can be straight or coiled. The cyanobacteria in my tank have coiled chains of cells, indicating that they are in the Spirulina family (also confirmed by @aquabiomics genetic testing). Spirulina is anecdotally known to be more resistant to hydrogen peroxide treatments compared to other types of cyanobacteria. To remove cyanobacteria from your reef tank, you can take several measures: 🌊 Increase Water Flow: Cyanobacteria biofilms thrive in low-flow areas, so improving circulation can help prevent their surface attachment and growth. 🗑️ Control Nutrients: Excess nutrients like nitrates and phosphates fuel cyanobacteria growth. Regular water changes and proper filtration can keep these parameters in check. 🫧 Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment: This can be effective against non-Spirulina cyanobacteria, but use it carefully as it can harm other organisms in the tank. 💉 Chemiclean: Despite misleading claims from the manufacturer, this product contains the antibiotic erythromycin. This can work to clear cyanobacteria, however it should be used only as a last resort because it can also affect beneficial bacteria in your tank and promote antibiotic resistance. I also don't like the idea of supporting a company which lies to its customers about the contents of its products. #cyanobacteria #reefmicrobiology #microbiology #reeftank #reefrehab

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Wednesday 24 July 2024 15:50:21 GMT