What is this Algae?

since this is not a highschool, it is a technical center, each program they offer is very specialized. this is the natural resources management program, and we do have an RO/DI filter. however i do not know if this girl uses the RO/DI water for this tank.

i don't know what a TDS reading is, but on the little electronic meter on the filter, it says the output is at 0.

there might be a wave maker in the tank, i'm really not sure, i know there is this thing in it that periodically blows a whole lot of tiny bubbles all over the tank in different directions. but all in all i don't think there is a lot of water movement in there. i don't know how much she feeds, and my teacher said the lights are on a 6 or 7 hour timer.

i'll bring up the water source, water flow, lighting, and over feeding to my teacher tomorrow and see what he wants to do about it.
 
Yup, that 0 is the TDS reading and that is PERFECT. The digital reading is the TDS, there should also be a round dial that shows the pressure, but that isn't important for your problem. Your water source, if that is the source, is not the problem. Just make sure your reading the TDS meter when the unit is in use/has water going through it. I would look into over feeding/lack of proper filtration as the cause. Light schedule is fine.
 
my RO/DI doesnt have a TDI meter... how would i go about checking this?
 
i suppose i dont know anything about RO/DI

what is ideal TDS? and pressure what does that mean?( the one filter is still pretty white, not much crap on it if any at all, and the green one (im assuming that the di filter or whatever) is just about the same.

how often should i change the filters and the little cartridge type thing in my unit?
 
0 TDS is ideal. When it starts to go above 0 you know your DI resin is exhausted. Ideally I say you should replace your pre-filters every 3-6 months depending on usage, carbon and DI resin usually once every 6 months, and RO membrane every 12 months.
 
the membrane yea thats what its called haha! alright good info, ill go out and buy these things after my birthday. i rarely use my RO,, i fill a 32 gal trash can every 2 months probably and its probably only on for a total of 13 hours
 
my teacher and i looked at some of the algae under a microscope and there were a few different kinds. he thinks some of the long chains we saw were diatoms linked together. we also saw some brownish round ones that he doesn't know what they are.
 
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