Dino test

[b breef]

So I have had some really bad gha, cyano and film algae outbreaks and diatoms over the past couple months. Some warranted bc my tank is only 5 months old. Nothing that I couldn’t clean up and handle. but also I had the suspicion that I now somehow have Dino’s. Wasn’t sure so I first did the shake up test this morning along with my usual WC to- today I changed 4 gal. Siphoned up some suspects from the tank before hand, did the test and used a Coffee filter and water looked clear and clean.
I then need to leave to go pick up my son from school so I set the glass in window light and left. Retired to see only a small blob in the water… I figured there would be more. But more interesting was what’s was in my WC bucket(second picture). What looked to be a cone shaped snotty blob. Very formed. This water too was completely agitated and left to sit while I was gone. First pic is standard test glass of aquarium water.
second pic is bucket of changed water
Third is general tank( gotten this way over a months time.. was a lot more stringy and had more bubbles in the past week of so

tank info: 20gal cube
I do WC’s constant bi-Weekly 10-15%
aquamaxx hob1.5 skimmer(overkill)
Stable params at :
PH 8.3
CA2 600+ Always been on high side
Dkh 9.6
Mag 1520
NO2 .026
NO3 .9
PO4 0.04
Using Hanna marine master multi meter
Don’t dose anything just run a llittle GAC in a small reactor. Installing small 9w up in next few days.
some lps and softies in tank( doing ok)
Inverts, pep shrimp, sm blue legged hermits. Blue spot sleeper goby and a blue/ green chromis/ both seem ok.

question is: anyone else think Dino’s by the three pics?
and if so… what’s next steps?? Microscope?
I have ordered Dino x to have on hand in case I decide to use and confirm it is Dino’s. Probably let the uv run for a few
tired of the nasty.
Thanks
bb

 

[b breef]

Also wanted to add this pic of bed with stringy suspects

 

[BanjoBandito]

Looks like dinos. Buy a pocket microscope from amazon for under 20 bucks and check. Dinos can be a real pain to get rid of once you have them, but without proper ID it's hard to give a sound resolution.

 

[b breef]

Looks like dinos. Buy a pocket microscope from amazon for under 20 bucks and check. Dinos can be a real pain to get rid of once you have them, but without proper ID it's hard to give a sound resolution.

Yeah I figured that was my next step. Id still like to get a fe more votes from others before I do though. Thanks for your input. Not looking forward to the battle….

 

[scardall]

( IMO low/0ppm Nitrates is likely causing your dino issue )Raise your nitrates to 5-10ppm to start. If this does not work at all go to 15ppm as I eventually did. Note: Fix is not instant. give it at least a week to START seeing a reduction of the stringy stuff. I recommend you buy a nice turkey baster asap, so you can blow off dino's and debris.

 

[ptrusk]

Yeah I figured that was my next step. Id still like to get a fe more votes from others before I do though. Thanks for your input. Not looking forward to the battle….

Yes looks like dinos and hair algae. Microscope will help you id what flavor. Stop water changes. Blow them off if you have mechanical filtration otherwise siphon out as much as you can every day or every other day. UV filter will help too, depending on what dinos you have. My last out break took 6 weeks to clear up using that method. Patience.

And feed, feed, feed. Get nutrients up.

 

[b breef]

Thanks guys… borrowing my brothers microscope tomorrow to check ion the flavor. I may be back in contact regarding species.

 

[BanjoBandito]

Thanks guys… borrowing my brothers microscope tomorrow to check ion the flavor. I may be back in contact regarding species.

A tank that big is manageable in regards to being able to clean it. I would not hesitate to do a full rip clean. That's what I did on my pesky nano that kept getting dinos. I needed to get a clean slate and a point of reference for it, once I had it sparkly clean I could control the nutrients and handle any issues a lot easier.

 

[b breef]

A tank that big is manageable in regards to being able to clean it. I would not hesitate to do a full rip clean. That's what I did on my pesky nano that kept getting dinos. I needed to get a clean slate and a point of reference for it, once I had it sparkly clean I could control the nutrients and handle any issues a lot easier.

Just put all my corals,fish and inverts in a tank with clean saltwater, flow (cleaned pumps) and light while I clean the nano?
then I guess dip everything good and replace? I guess I’ll need to recycle the cleaned tank?
I don’t use /have a quarantine tank.
I’m newer to reefing and it might be nice to have a basic plan outlined if you or someone could help with that?

 

[b breef]

We’ll pretty sure, we’ll almost positive it’s Ostreopsis. Can’t get the video to attach but the swim pattern is exact.
I started 9 w uv on my 20 gal yesterday and already see a difference/ I think. Raising nutrients too is going good. Slowly coming up. All I’m doing is feed a little more and stopped WC’s.
picture isn’t much but thought I’d attach.

Is it preferable to dose po4 and no3 or simply feed more etc. ?

 

[ptrusk]

Just keep doing w hat you are doing. Doesn’t really matter how you raise nutrients but you fish will appreciate the extra food.

Sounds like you are on the right track just remember it may take several weeks.

uv will really help against Ostreopsis. Don’t forget to rinse out the pump and reactor occasionally.