Debating leaving the hobby

[dvgyfresh]

What makes you say ostreopsis and not amphidinium? Looks more like amphidinium to me, and that would also explain it not getting better with UV.

https://humble.fish/community/index.php?attachments/dinoflagellateid12_12_2019-1-pdf.6827/

I’d vote amphidium to , also osteo does not go in sand bed where amphidium does and not affected by UV due to hiding in sand at night

 

[Miami Reef]

OP said his Dino’s leave the sand at night. This is classic osteoporosis.

 

[dvgyfresh]

OP said his Dino’s leave the sand at night. This is classic osteoporosis.

Amphidium hides in the sand at night so it would also not be visible

 

[Miami Reef]

Amphidium hides in the sand at night so it would also not be visible

Thank you. I did not know this.

 

[Adamantium]

EDIT: Comment already made

 

[dvgyfresh]

Thank you. I did not know this.

Identify Dino’s is the first step there’s sooo many!

 

[Susan Edwards]

I have two huge pumps, and extremely fine sand bed. So when I ramp them up sand flies EVERYWHERE. I'm going to give them a vinegar bath and try to position them so I get good flow but not make the sand go everywhere

this was part of my issue. The fine sand got into the marco rock and things just festered! I replaced the sand with medium grain and tried to blow out/off all the rocks--took all I could out to do so. That seemed to help. Still took a while. My new tank I used caribsea and Real Reef and medium sand and no issues. Best tank ever so far (knock on wood)

 

[MartinM]

I think something like 99% of people leave the hobby in the first 3 years. I’m not sure your tank setup, but I rarely see diatom problems in systems set up using live rock, and I see it constantly in systems set up with dry rock. I have Been seeing this for 3 decades.

 

[Miami Reef]

I think something like 99% of people leave the hobby in the first 3 years. I’m not sure your tank setup, but I rarely see diatom problems in systems set up using live rock, and I see it constantly in systems set up with dry rock. I have Been seeing this for 3 decades.

99%?? Where is this statistic from?

 

[R33FDr3amer]

@SurfTrack was just wondering how your tank is doing? Any updates? I hope all is well!

 

[bruno3047]

Dude. Take a gravel washing tube to that freaking sandbed and clean that thing. Forget about the fauna you may lose. Clean that freaking sandbed. I use this:

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/python-no-spill-clean-n-fill-replacement-gravel-tube-36-%28large%29-3028674

Keeping your sandbed clean is essential to keeping a long-term sustainable reef. Disregard what other people say. You could eliminate all your water changes except for twice a year. Clean your sand bed every six months removing 30 to 35% of the water, then replace the water with new water. And you’re done for the next six months. Dose trace elements to keep those up to par. I use Essential Elements according to the instructions. Good luck.

 

[Oregon Grown Reef]

Not that I don't think some good advice has been given, but there has also been a lot of advice given when there may be a simpler solution. Find someone in your area that has a beautiful tank and ask them what they do to keep theirs. Then follow what they do. The reason for this is you can always ask them a question and see why those suggestions work.

 

[MartinM]

99%?? Where is this statistic from?

When I worked in the hobby professionally this was the statistic acquired from some large equipment manufacturers. This turnover rate is why they’re in business

 

[Miami Reef]

When I worked in the hobby professionally this was the statistic acquired from some large equipment manufacturers. This turnover rate is why they’re in business

That’s so interesting!

 

[Duncan62]

Sometimes it is good to just cut your losses and move on... You gotta do what makes you happy IMO.

I've gotten bored many times. It's like babying a tree that takes years to grow. I've reached the point of ignoring a tank till it needs rescue them jumped back on it with both feet. If it's a pretty tank maybe just empty the livestock from it and let it run. The system will find a balance and then you might add a few things. Good luck either way.

 

[Duncan62]

Thanks for responses. Maybe Ill give it another month or two. All this requires even more money to be spent for new test kits.

I think time and patience will be more important than money. I've missed the equipment list for your system. Sometimes simplification is a great tool for a reef.

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

OP hasn’t replied in a while, wonder if still around. To me that isn’t diatoms, diatoms live off of silicates and usually only show up for a short period of time with a new sandbed. Looks like cyano to me. Cyano can disappear at night as well. I see Dino’s get thrown around on this forum way too much.

Step one would be to clean the sandbed. If that doesn’t help it’s time for chemiclean.

IMO if chemiclean doesn’t wipe it out it’s time to start investigating things like Dinos.