Dino X and Raising Nutrients

bdare · Feb 10, 2020

Hello,

I've discovered I have dinos in my 220 gallon aquarium. As of testing this morning my nitrates are at ZERO. I understand that part of the long term plan to keep dinos away is to increase nutrients. What can I do to raise nutrients in my tank while dosing Dino X?

The product has not arrived yet. Should be here later this week.

I have a HUGE ball of cheato in my sump. Will Dino X kill it? Should i remove it before dosing? I have already reduced my fuge lighting period from 12 to 3 hours.

I've also ordered some nitrate and phosphate for dosing. Are these OK to add while dosing Dino X?

Thanks
Ben

piranhaman00 · Feb 10, 2020

I would highly, highly recommend not using Dino X without trying anything else.

Raise your nutrients, try adding UV.

Gungnir · Feb 10, 2020

Following.

My nitrates (API test) and phosphates (Hanna ULR) have remained at 0 ppm/ppb as well. I have relatively (I think) mild diatoms and/or dino. I started feeding more and trying to not freak out and make a bunch of changes (you know- remain patient). I considered getting Vibrant, but don't want to remove my chaeto.

Gungnir · Mar 4, 2020

As a follow-up, I fed more (2x per day) until my nutrients rose and added a UV sterilizer. Diatoms and dinos disappeared in a couple of days (noticeable impact 24-48 hours and completely gone after ~72 hours). Pretty nice to see the shells of the invertebrates again! Nitrates are now more than 0 but probably less than 5ppm (API) and phosphate is ~0.046ppm (15ppb with Phosphorous ULR Hanna checker). I also cut the lighting to the refugium back to 4 hours/night.

Water is clear, animals and I are happy.

Before:

After:

bdare · Mar 4, 2020

Gungnir said:
As a follow-up, I fed more (2x per day) until my nutrients rose and added a UV sterilizer. Diatoms and dinos disappeared in a couple of days (noticeable impact 24-48 hours and completely gone after ~72 hours). Pretty nice to see the shells of the invertebrates again! Nitrates are now more than 0 but probably less than 5ppm (API) and phosphate is ~0.046ppm (15ppb with Phosphorous ULR Hanna checker). I also cut the lighting to the refugium back to 4 hours/night.

Water is clear, animals and I are happy.

Thanks for follow up. I ended up dosing phosphate and nitrate. Unfortunately, I overshot phosphate and it went to .9ppm :O

Working now on bringing it down slowly. My nitrates over around 10ppm. I've also been adding some silicate to help encourage diatoms.