Dino Troubles

[ShewbZ]

Hello everyone,

I have been battling Dinos for two months now with no avail. I have done a lot of research and hit a wall. I am pretty sure they are prorocentrum dinoflagellates (microscope identification). My tank is 24 gallons equipped with nano-skimmer (Ice cap) and doser. It does not have any UV sterilizers, sump, refug., or an ATO (I manually add water to top off everyday). The dinos have caused my RBTA to deflate and it looks nearly dead. It has covered all of my rocks and im pretty sure was the cause of death my bicolor blenny. The tank is almost a year old. I believe my lack of nitrates and phosphates are helping the dinos outcompete other bacteria. I purchased NeoPhos and NeoNitates (Brightwell) to dose into the tank. I have tried these products for a week and my nitrates and phosphates have remained at 0 ppm. I have also purchased Brightwell BioFuel, but I am reluctant to use it, fearing it will feed the dinos. I have tried blackouts and manual removal which was of no use. Should I go ahead and start doing the BioFuel followed by NeoPhos/Nitrate and MB7? I have not yet tried to increase pH. Any other help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
*Scale on microscope images are incorrect

 

[JCTReefer]

Looks like you have some serious Cyanobacteria mixed in with it also. The main dino thread is a long one. The first page on there pretty much outlines everything. I’ve read through most of that thread. As you know there’s a rule that applies to all. Biodiversity and favoring an environment that will outcompete dinos. I don’t think we ever get rid of them. I took me a few months of dosing No3 and Po4 to get mine under control. Once green algae started growing on the glass and rocks the dinos disappeared. Or went dormant. That and also added a UV sterilizer. It was appropriate for the type dino I was dealing with. I had a mix of Ostreopsis, Large Cell Amphidinium, and Small Cell Amphidinium. Corals were covered. Of course large cell Amphidinium is not effected by blackouts or UV. They don’t go into the water column at night to be targeted. Ostreopsis on the other hand can be targeted with a properly sized UV. The whole issue that started my deal was letting nutrients bottom out. Lesson learned. Its not a fun battle.

 

[ShewbZ]

Thanks for the reply! I had used chemiclean before I started treating for Dino. I thought it was cyano at first until I checked under a microscope. I guess for now ill continue dosing NO3 and PO4 until i get some results. I read that water changes should be avoided so I have been doing that so far. Hopefully I can overcome these dinos.