Dino?

[*Ruffian*]

Hello All,

Have had my IM 170 tank up and running for the last 5 months. It was a dry rock start.

Current parameters:
NO3 <5
PO4 0.03
CA 450
ALK 8.5
Temp 77
Salinity 1.025

I was told to run GFO to knock down my PO4.

Reading more about Dinos, I think I have too low of NO3 and PO4. I cut my skimming in half and only run GFO 2 hours a day.

Going to watch what happens over the next week or so. Think I want NO3 around 10 and PO4 around 0.07.

I have been really fascinated with the microscope pics so I just had to pick one up. Got a BNIS for $100 off Amazon and wow.

Looking for any comments/suggestions on the images. Lots of brown and bubbles on the rock.

Thanks

Steve

 

[vetteguy53081]

Not seeing Dino but rather what appears to be calothrix which is a species of Dino

 

[saltyhog]

I don't see any dinos on your slide. I would strongly urge you to stop the GFO for now. 0.5-0.1 is much better range for PO4. Dinos definitely are more common in low nutrient systems than higher nutrient systems.

The gross appearance in some of your pictures is a little suspicious for chrysophytes.

 

[*Ruffian*]

Thank you for the replies.

I have stopped my water changes, GFO and now just run blue lights.

NO3 is 0 and PO4 is 0.03.

Last night I cleaned the glass and nothing showing up today. Usually would see algae accumulating on a day after cleaning.

I ordered Dr. Tims Refresh and Wasteaway. Seems like that should be the next logical step.