Brown Algae

[mccusker1818]

Hey guys,

I have a 120 gallon mixed reef with a 40 gallon sump, running for 2 years.

Everything has been great for the last 8 months.

I recently added 3 small (about fist sized) pieces of marco rock to the tank and a new frag rack.

Since these were added, I am starting to see a fine film of brown on the rocks and rack. (it easily blows off with a turkey baster).

The day after a normal 10% water change, there is a lot more of it.

Nitrates:0
kh: 8.9
ph: 8.3
Phosphates: 0 or .03
salinity: 1.026
cal: 435
mag: 1430

Cause for concern? And how do I get rid of it?

Thanks for any help!

 

[noobreefer2]

Hey, what phosphate test kit do you use? Zero/low nutrients can point to dinos. Does the stuff disappear at night?

 

[mccusker1818]

Hey, what phosphate test kit do you use? Zero/low nutrients can point to dinos. Does the stuff disappear at night?

Ya it seems to be gone at night time and the only phosphate kit I have is the salifert. Nitrate was tested with a HANNA checker.

 

[noobreefer2]

Yep, that's dinos; considering the Salifert test kit is so inaccurate (I had one myself), your phosphates are probably zero. I'm not an expert at fighting dinos, but I know that they thrive in low-nutrient systems. You'll want to make an effort to get your nitrates and phosphates up to about 0.05 and 10. I'm also going to tag @taricha because he is very good at ideing this stuff.

Try to get your hands on a microscope, so we can ID what type it is and help you fight it further.

I also have a few resources that might be helpful:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dinoflagellates-–-are-you-tired-of-battling-altogether.293318/

And use this to help you get a microscope id:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/d...ttling-altogether.293318/page-50#post-4043274

Hope this helped!

 

[mccusker1818]

Yep, that's dinos; considering the Salifert test kit is so inaccurate (I had one myself), your phosphates are probably zero. I'm not an expert at fighting dinos, but I know that they thrive in low-nutrient systems. You'll want to make an effort to get your nitrates and phosphates up to about 0.05 and 10. I'm also going to tag @taricha because he is very good at ideing this stuff.

Try to get your hands on a microscope, so we can ID what type it is and help you fight it further.

I also have a few resources that might be helpful:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dinoflagellates-–-are-you-tired-of-battling-altogether.293318/

And use this to help you get a microscope id:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dinoflagellates-–-are-you-tired-of-battling-altogether.293318/page-50#post-4043274

Hope this helped!

Thank you so much!

 

[mccusker1818]

Yep, that's dinos; considering the Salifert test kit is so inaccurate (I had one myself), your phosphates are probably zero. I'm not an expert at fighting dinos, but I know that they thrive in low-nutrient systems. You'll want to make an effort to get your nitrates and phosphates up to about 0.05 and 10. I'm also going to tag @taricha because he is very good at ideing this stuff.

Try to get your hands on a microscope, so we can ID what type it is and help you fight it further.

I also have a few resources that might be helpful:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dinoflagellates-–-are-you-tired-of-battling-altogether.293318/

And use this to help you get a microscope id:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dinoflagellates-–-are-you-tired-of-battling-altogether.293318/page-50#post-4043274

Hope this helped!

Here's what I got from the microscope, see attached image.

 

[taricha]

Throw a UV on there. Those are ostreopsis dinos and are strongly susceptible to UV.

 

[mccusker1818]

Throw a UV on there. Those are ostreopsis dinos and are strongly susceptible to UV.

Already on it thank you! I'll also increase my nitrates and phosphates a bit.

 

[noobreefer2]

Yeah, just start feeding your fish more (don't use coral food, it is like fertilizer for dinos), turn off or lower your refugium schedule, tune your skimmer down, increase your bioload, and sometimes people even lower frequency of water changes or stop doing them. Also dosing Neophos or Neonitro from Brightwell aquatics is an easy and quick way to get them up.