Confirm ID and Help Please!

[Stuartmercer]

Let's start by admitting that I have been neglecting the tank for about 2ish weeks, and in this time, I had inadvertently allowed what I believe to be Dinos to take hold. I will be posting pictures for any confirmation from people that have dealt with them before. However, although I am fairly certain that it is indeed Dinos, I would like some advice on what to do next. I have never had to deal with them in the time this tank has been set up (3 years, almost 4) and I believe it might have something to do with a recent addition to the aquarium; a mandarine dragonette. The pod population has more than likely been going down as I haven't dosed in a while, thus allowing the biodiversity to go down. With that, I also believe the dinos are also a reaction to a certain lack of nutrients. I still use the absolute garbage that is known as API, but from what I have tested, and seen, both phosphate and nitrate are close to, or are at zero. That is all I have tested for because, from what I have read, is a reason dinos can take hold. Please let me know if there is any other parameter I should test for that would cause DInos.
I am uncertain about what I should do to deal with them. I know people have used peroxide, UV sterilizers, etc, but with varying success, and I don't want to go dosing chemicals and stuff to deal with them. My lighting schedule is 8 hours a day - but I have downed that too 4 hours a day in an attempt to give them more free-floating time in the water column at night. I also know there are different species of Dinos, so I will see if I can get my hands on a microscope to identify the exact species - only if that helps.

- Also note I just started feeding a little more, for both the fish and coral (coral mainly with Reef Roids)
- The rocks also have bubbles forming on the algae which I know can help the experienced reefers ID it.

Sum it up:
- Phosphates - very close, or is 0
- Nitrates - very close, or is 0
- Lighting schedule is now 4 hours, rather than 8.
- neglected the tank for a while
- added a dragonette roughly 2 months ago


The corals covered with the Dinos are unhappy -

 

[Idoc]

Definitly post some microscope pics for a more definitive diagnosis. The treatment varies slightly depending on the type of dino.

The pics do look like dinos, though...

In the meantime, it is best to get the nutrients up in the tank...no3 5-10ppm, po4 0.05-0.10ppm. You can do this by feeding more heavily, dosing these items specifically, and reducing your export methods.

Let's see the microscope pics too be sure this is dinos, though.

 

[Stuartmercer]

Definitly post some microscope pics for a more definitive diagnosis. The treatment varies slightly depending on the type of dino.

The pics do look like dinos, though...

In the meantime, it is best to get the nutrients up in the tank...no3 5-10ppm, po4 0.05-0.10ppm. You can do this by feeding more heavily, dosing these items specifically, and reducing your export methods.

Let's see the microscope pics too be sure this is dinos, though.

Sweet okay, ty for the response. For the microscopic pics, I will see if I can borrow one from school, although with covid we will see...

 

[saltyhog]

Another more controlled way to get your nutrients up is to dose Seachem Flourish phosphate supplement and sodium nitrate (pharmaceutical grade available on Amazon for about $10). Microscope views are important to guide treatment.

 

[Stuartmercer]

Another more controlled way to get your nutrients up is to dose Seachem Flourish phosphate supplement and sodium nitrate (pharmaceutical grade available on Amazon for about $10). Microscope views are important to guide treatment.

Ill see if i can get that this week, ty.

 

[Stuartmercer]

bad news: used a microscope and ID the dinos and found it was ostreopsis dino. I am planning on buying a metric ton of bacteria and pods this week, started a full blackout as they are photosynthetic and I am increasing nutrient levels.
Is there anything else I need to, and can do to help keep this off my corals, and prevent their toxins from causing harm to the tank inhabitants?

 

[Stuartmercer]

Here are the photos but my phone is trash so they are not that great. They are spinning in circles and have a less tan tip on their body.

 

[saltyhog]

bad news: used a microscope and ID the dinos and found it was ostreopsis dino. I am planning on buying a metric ton of bacteria and pods this week, started a full blackout as they are photosynthetic and I am increasing nutrient levels.
Is there anything else I need to, and can do to help keep this off my corals, and prevent their toxins from causing harm to the tank inhabitants?

Here are the photos but my phone is trash so they are not that great. They are spinning in circles and have a less tan tip on their body.

The pictures aren't bad...plenty good enough for the diagnosis.

First, don't do a black out...it does not kill them! They will look better for 12-36 hours but then will come back with a vengeance. All you will accomplish with a blackout is further stressing your livestock.

What are your NO3 and PO4? Pods, bacteria and phyto can help but ostreopsis responds tremendously well to a properly sized and installed UV. I've seen them almost gone literally over night.

You also need to run carbon (GAC) and change it often as ostreopsis is VERY toxic. This is the easiest to beat but most dangerous of dinos

 

[Stuartmercer]

The pictures aren't bad...plenty good enough for the diagnosis.

First, don't do a black out...it does not kill them! They will look better for 12-36 hours but then will come back with a vengeance. All you will accomplish with a blackout is further stressing your livestock.

What are your NO3 and PO4? Pods, bacteria and phyto can help but ostreopsis responds tremendously well to a properly sized and installed UV. I've seen them almost gone literally over night.

You also need to run carbon (GAC) and change it often as ostreopsis is VERY toxic. This is the easiest to beat but most dangerous of dinos

I know about the carbon part which I kinda had a suspicion as the day I saw them I saw some coral stress but dismissed it. As for phosphates and nitrates - still zero. Working on raising that. I will test again in a few days and reply back. I hadn't heard that UV works against ostreopsis so I will go out and buy ta UV along with the other stuff on my list. Ty a lot for the reply!

 

[saltyhog]

I know about the carbon part which I kinda had a suspicion as the day I saw them I saw some coral stress but dismissed it. As for phosphates and nitrates - still zero. Working on raising that. I will test again in a few days and reply back. I hadn't heard that UV works against ostreopsis so I will go out and buy ta UV along with the other stuff on my list. Ty a lot for the reply!

The UV needs to be 1 watt/3 gallons of display volume..or larger. Flow needs to be slow through it....ignore the instructions that come with the unit. For dinos the flow needs to be 1-3 times display volume/hour. It seems to work much better plumbed to and from the DT (not the sump) with a dedicated pump sized as above.

 

[Stuartmercer]

The UV needs to be 1 watt/3 gallons of display volume..or larger. Flow needs to be slow through it....ignore the instructions that come with the unit. For dinos the flow needs to be 1-3 times display volume/hour. It seems to work much better plumbed to and from the DT (not the sump) with a dedicated pump sized as above.

Well then... I have a HOB filter lol. Always wanted a sump but never got around to building one. What would I do if i cant plumb it directly into the DT?

 

[saltyhog]

You just need a few fittings, a small appropriately sized pump and some tubing. Here's a picture of a larger scale set up.

And another.

 

[Stuartmercer]

You just need a few fittings, a small appropriately sized pump and some tubing. Here's a picture of a larger scale set up.

And another.

Oh okay, perfect!! We will see when I can get into the city this week, it's -30c out here and the roads are icy so we will see. Hopefully, I can get everything. Ty for your assistance!

 

[saltyhog]

Be careful! If you can order from BRS where you live they have 1/2" push to fit tubing and fittings that make it fast and easy. It doesn't have to be pretty as hopefully it's only for a few weeks!

 

[Stuartmercer]

Be careful! If you can order from BRS where you live they have 1/2" push to fit tubing and fittings that make it fast and easy. It doesn't have to be pretty as hopefully it's only for a few weeks!

Out of curiosity, which UV would u suggest that's good for a 29g? Under $300 hopefully. (Also dont yell at me for having a manderine in there)

 

[saltyhog]

Out of curiosity, which UV would u suggest that's good for a 29g? Under $300 hopefully. (Also dont yell at me for having a manderine in there)

No stone throwing here, LOL. I would love a mandarin, but with all my wrasses it would take a ton of work to keep one supplied with pods in my tank. I'm jealous!

I have an Aqua UV and they make a 15 watt version that's right at $300. I've been very pleased with mine. Do not get the model with the wiper....that's made for fresh water and could corrode and leak over time.

 

[Stuartmercer]

No stone throwing here, LOL. I would love a mandarin, but with all my wrasses it would take a ton of work to keep one supplied with pods in my tank. I'm jealous!

I have an Aqua UV and they make a 15 watt version that's right at $300. I've been very pleased with mine. Do not get the model with the wiper....that's made for fresh water and could corrode and leak over time.

Hm okay good to know! Lol I know a few people who would roll down boulders on me for having a manderine in a nano lol. I wanted to get a few wrasses but with a manderine that wont happen. IM jelous!

I am going on friday to buy a UV at the LFS. And i know they have aqua uv which is good.

 

[Stuartmercer]

Aight I got the UV and water pump yesterday (also phyto and pods. Couldn't find bacteria ), but I wasn't able to get the tubing. Today is when I will get that and will set it up, and post about it. I haven't tested my nutrients, but from what I can see, there is a significant decrease in dinos today which is a fantastic thing to see. All I have been doing is feeding more and dosing the last bit of phyto I had before yesterday. I was kinda thinking that I would make the UV setup pretty and leave it on my tank even after my dino problem is solved. Is that a good idea?