Dinos...

[bowen1022]

Well unfortunately I get the pleasure of dealing with dinos, or a really bad case of diatoms. I am starting a two day blackout just to hopefully kick it. Im also dosing Red Sea NoPox

 

[Diesel]

Any pictures so we can see your tank problem?

 

[bowen1022]

Here are some photos. They would go away at night and every time I would suck them up they would re appear within a few hours

 

[twilliard]

Here are a few tips!
First let's verify that this isn't a bacteria
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/positive-identification-of-cyanobacteria.253287/
If this is negative it may be spirulina

Do the same method outlined above but instead of h2o2 add 5 drops of chemiclean
If it's spirulina it will disappear

If the test doesn't change then I suggest following here
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dinoflagellates-a-possible-cure-follow-along-and-see.253917/

 

[bowen1022]

Here are a few tips!
First let's verify that this isn't a bacteria
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/positive-identification-of-cyanobacteria.253287/
If this is negative it may be spirulina

Do the same method outlined above but instead of h2o2 add 5 drops of chemiclean
If it's spirulina it will disappear

If the test doesn't change then I suggest following here
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dinoflagellates-a-possible-cure-follow-along-and-see.253917/

Thanks twillard. It would never peel in mats so could that be a sign that it is spirulina?

 

[FL_Reefer]

Or Here, lol luckily for you there are good things going on right at this moment with the treatment of dino!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/we-all-hate-them-dinos-i-have-a-cure.252548/

I feel my or Twilliard's threads will help you kick dino, both methods will work, you will just need to decide what method is easier for you to complete.

 

[bowen1022]

Thanks FL. I noticed a ton of people dealing with crappy algae the past few weeks :/

 

[twilliard]

Thanks twillard. It would never peel in mats so could that be a sign that it is spirulina?

Spirulina can be tough strength wise. They make a close corkscrew bond with eachother.

 

[bowen1022]

Ok I'll see what happens after the black out. It is more of a dust like algae. No stringy substances or mat-like characteristics.

 

[FL_Reefer]

Ya it doesn't look like dino from your pic to me

 

[twilliard]

I'm going with spirulina
Thats how they act during a 24 hour period
The are on the bed more than likely consuming sulfides it's a great energy source for them.
Chemiclean time!

 

[bowen1022]

Thanks for the help guys! Now twillard what causes this? So I can prevent it

 

[twilliard]

Thanks for the help guys! Now twillard what causes this? So I can prevent it

I only know how to get rid of it.
Like any cyanobacteria it has to be introduced
I have not done a lot of study with spirulina as it is a beneficial bacteria to tank life.
The problem is when they grow out of hand and create anaerobic conditions spiking sulfides.
Proper qt and coral dipping for new additions helps keep this at bay.
You will hear that this is naturally in the water, this is incorrect. They are naturally on what we put into our tanks.

 

[bowen1022]

Hmm that is interesting. I dip all my corals but don't QT them... Yet! Once I set up my lagoon I will probably set up a small QT tank. I know you said you don't know a lot about it but Does Spurilina cause harm to corals?

I'm wondering how it came in though as I didn't add anything new to my tank until after I spotted it. And previously the newest addition would have been about 2.5 months old

I'm sorry for all the questions besides trying to get rid of it, this is actually interesting. I want to learn more about these weird algaes.

 

[bowen1022]

Also I have another question lol. I haven't changed out my Purigen in quite a while, longer than recommended, could this be a potential suspect as to why I am seeing it now?

 

[twilliard]

A single strand of spirulina in the right conditions would take quite a long time to become visible.
You are seeing it now cause the population has become large enough to see.
It is not toxic by any means. (If it is conclusive spirulina )
Just an eyesore
You have the right conditions for them and possible high sulfides.
And for correction they are bacteria with the trait of an algae.

 

[bowen1022]

So is it 5 drops for my 10g tank or would it be different? Again thanks so much for your help

 

[twilliard]

So is it 5 drops for my 10g tank or would it be different? Again thanks so much for your help

That is just for testing.
In a 10 gallon tank I would do 15 drops of chemiclean (you have to slightly exceed the recommended dosage)

 

[bowen1022]

And lastly how long should I carry out dosing this? until it is gone? Idk how I could tell if it is completely gone or not

 

[twilliard]

And lastly how long should I carry out dosing this? until it is gone? Idk how I could tell if it is completely gone or not

It should only take 1 dose but I have always followed up with another dose after the skimmer calms down as precaution.
Remember the warnings of chemiclean