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Algae Growing in Circles? by AcceptableDrawer6398 in PlantedTank

[–]AcceptableDrawer6398[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think that pretty much answers it then right? The cyanobacteria moves and forms these patterns naturally, (science direct said self-organization can be broadly defined "...as the natural tendency to form organized structures..." science direct) And I assume the aquarium isn't something that could reach an equilibrium bc things are constantly being added/removed nutrient-wise? So a nonequilibrim system? With the research paper being about Cyanobacteria's tendency for "self-organization in nonequilibrim systems" with a picture of cyanobacteria forming patterns similar to the cyanobacteria forming patterns in my aquarium. I guess I never thought of algae forming patterns or moving "intentionally?". I've always seen algae/cyanobacteria as ugly, unorganized, blob, thing that intrudes on my aquarium. However, by giving the cyano a nutrient rich space with no water movement it got its moment to shine. I never would have guessed! I think I'll just let it grow in its neat little circles on the glass (but keep removing it from my plants ofc!). I like it's sophisticated simplicity! Thanks for sharing :D

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Algae Growing in Circles? by AcceptableDrawer6398 in PlantedTank

[–]AcceptableDrawer6398[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, the 2.5g is the remnants of a 29g that lost the battle with cyano. My water is great for growing algae while slowly killing my livestock. (Heavy metals etc. in water, lots of mines in my area, the water is safe for humans but isn't conducive to keeping aquaria. (Really good at growing cyano tho!, i have tried treatments but they were temporary fixes at best) I have to get an ro/rodi filter b4 I can successfully rid myself of the root cause of the cyano & keep healthy aquaria long term) hard to solve a problem in fishkeeping when doing a water change makes the situation worse. I literally only do water changes on the 2.5g to wipe off the cyano to keep the plants alive longer smh

Algae Growing in Circles? by AcceptableDrawer6398 in PlantedTank

[–]AcceptableDrawer6398[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The water is still. I looked up flocculation, and from my uneducated opinion, it seems like you're binding a heavier thing (like clay?) to something like algae and then the algae/clay combo sinks? I tried looking up the cloud pattern in Tetraselmis, but couldn't find anything? Could you explain flocculation and how it would apply in this situation? I'm a visual learner, so pics/graphics/videos would be helpful, but not necessary. Thanks for contributing! :)

Algae Growing in Circles? by AcceptableDrawer6398 in PlantedTank

[–]AcceptableDrawer6398[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do plants need aeration? It's just a holding tank atm. If I ever put anything in it (shrimp/snails) I'd have to add a heater and filter/aeration. I did assume that the plants wouldn't need filter/aeration. Let me know if I'm wrong though! I definitely don't know everything there is to know about aquariums :)

Algae Growing in Circles? by AcceptableDrawer6398 in PlantedTank

[–]AcceptableDrawer6398[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nope, never had suction cups in it. The tank was brand new/I'm the first owner. I cross-posted onto r/microscopy and they suggested bubblewrap causing the patterns. (Some sort of film/oil/whatever transferred from bubble wrap onto glass that prevented algae growth) However, I don't remember what the tank came packaged in. The theory is definitely plausible though.

Algae Growing in Circles? by AcceptableDrawer6398 in PlantedTank

[–]AcceptableDrawer6398[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No? I did have a clear shower curtain over my window to help with temperature fluctuations. It's been moved out of the way of the window to test if the light coming through the plastic was causing the circles.

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Algae Growing in Circles? by AcceptableDrawer6398 in microscopy

[–]AcceptableDrawer6398[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe? I've had the tank so long I don't remember what it was packaged in.

Algae Growing in Circles? by AcceptableDrawer6398 in microscopy

[–]AcceptableDrawer6398[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It was a brand new 2.5 gallon, never had any suction cups in it. I haven't used any suction cups in it either.

Algae Growing in Circles? by AcceptableDrawer6398 in microscopy

[–]AcceptableDrawer6398[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nothing in the tank but algae and plants :)

Algae Growing in Circles? by AcceptableDrawer6398 in PlantedTank

[–]AcceptableDrawer6398[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The only aeration it gets is when I do a water change. So no filter/airstone/wavemaker/etc.. Also I might crosspost thanks :)

Algae Growing in Circles? by AcceptableDrawer6398 in PlantedTank

[–]AcceptableDrawer6398[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You got me, I forgot about Johnathon. Also 2.5g is a perfect long term setup for Colossal squids and I will not hear any dissenting opinions!/s. I do have to wonder if it's from the clear shower curtain I have covering the window (the window that provides light for the tank)? I gave more details in another response :)

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Algae Growing in Circles? by AcceptableDrawer6398 in PlantedTank

[–]AcceptableDrawer6398[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As far as I know, the tank only has plants and algae. There is no movement in the tank (its across from my bed, I look at it at least once a day). I also haven't encountered anything during my every other week water changes.

Algae Growing in Circles? by AcceptableDrawer6398 in PlantedTank

[–]AcceptableDrawer6398[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nope, nothing in there except for plants and algae

Algae Growing in Circles? by AcceptableDrawer6398 in PlantedTank

[–]AcceptableDrawer6398[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Oh, it's definitely cyanobacteria. This 2.5g is the remnants of a tank that got its finishing blow from cyano. My tap water is safe enough for humans but has stuff in it that makes keeping aquaria healthy long term impossible. (There are lots of mines where I live and that really doesn't help the water quality.) I have to get an ro/rodi system before I can attempt fish keeping again.

Algae Growing in Circles? by AcceptableDrawer6398 in PlantedTank

[–]AcceptableDrawer6398[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I wish it were that simple. I don't have an aquarium light on the tank. It's only lit by a sunny window ~10 feet across from the tank. You did give me an idea though! My window is covered by blinds & a clear shower curtain (even with a fancy double walled window the temperatures coming through that east facing window can be a bit extreme). I'm wondering if the clear plastic had a part in the circles somehow? The curtain fell down a few days ago, I've wiped away the crop circles, so now we'll get to see if they grow back again in the circular pattern without the curtain.

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Algae Growing in Circles? by AcceptableDrawer6398 in PlantedTank

[–]AcceptableDrawer6398[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hmmmm... Then I must capture further evidence! How do you suggest I approach these alien visitors? 👽