Dinoflagellates, a different approach.

[Neil Fox]

OK, I may catch some flack for this; however, I have noticed a trend. I'm not trying to knock the veracity of chemical treatments etc. but I've been reefing since 1985 with reasonably good success.

I recently had an outbreak of Dinos. This was in my frag tank, I had incorporated more modern methods to set this one up. Dry rock, Siporax and Matrix. Didn't turn out well. That being said I turned to my biological indicators. What has worked in the past, why have dinos never been a problem before? I took a three pronged approach. That being said, I decided to try a more biological approach. Water freely is exchanged from my three tanks, in fact a have put rocks into my display with no ill effects. A microscope confirmed that it was Dino Osterea (sic) . Introducing healthy wild rock and a reasonable amount of husbandry seems to have halted it.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

OK, I may catch some flack for this; however, I have noticed a trend. I'm not trying to knock the veracity of chemical treatments etc. but I've been reefing since 1985 with reasonably good success.

I recently had an outbreak of Dinos. This was in my frag tank, I had incorporated more modern methods to set this one up. Dry rock, Siporax and Matrix. Didn't turn out well. That being said I turned to my biological indicators. What has worked in the past, why have dinos never been a problem before? I took a three pronged approach. That being said, I decided to try a more biological approach. Water freely is exchanged from my three tanks, in fact a have put rocks into my display with no ill effects. A microscope confirmed that it was Dino Osterea (sic) . Introducing healthy wild rock and a reasonable amount of husbandry seems to have halted it.

Yup.

Good luck. Nobody will believe you.

 

[Neil Fox]

Not really concerned if anyone believes me. I have been watching these crazy algae blooms and there seems to be one common denominator. Dead Rock..

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Not really concerned if anyone believes me. I have been watching these crazy algae blooms and there seems to be one common denominator. Dead Rock..

You are correct.

Sadly it become forgotten lore on how to use live rock. How to clean QT and treat it. Takes the same time or less. I think its the hand sanitizer and bleach mentality.
Odd, really. considering we're focused on keeping animals that eat poop and pee.

Or some folks don't quite understand the food web that the ocean actually is. In the absence of a species other species will dominate. That goes for micro fauna too.

 

[Seyoz]

Dry rock has no living cells in it. Soon as gets hydrated in tank, becomes surface for Bacteria's to host. Yet brown/green algae grows fastest in your newfound "Real Estate.".
So gotta Kalkwasser it more often in beginning as your continuously algae Rockwork in tank with Fresh Toothbrush.
Kent's Best And Extremely easy to use.
As Coraline Algae grows, the surface becomes too slick for brown/green algae to grow or infest.

Purples, Pinks, Reds, Light Green all forms of Coraline Algae(Calcium Based Encrusting Algae, not typical plant based algae).

 

[Seyoz]

Had over night success in some cases.
Other cases week or less,
helps if you add a good saturated piece of liverock with Coraline Algae on it.

Some Just place in tank and move around, while others crumble up and sprinkle in tank.

I personally don't like mixing chunks in my sand clogging my gravel vacuum or siphon hose nor airline tubing siphon- "Trinkle Siphon"

 

[Neil Fox]

I'm seeing that.

 

[Seyoz]

Shout out to Dj City

 

[Seyoz]

Shout out to TideFluxFlo