Dinos?

[mcdrichj]

So I have been trying to get my tank back running properly. I have eliminated cyano and gha. After doing several waterchanges last week to get my parameters back inline I noticed a huge breakout. I have been running chemi pure elite to get rid of phosphates. I have just started growing chaeto in the sump too. All of a sudden I get a bloom is this dinos all over the sand?

 

[mcdrichj]

I know the picture is bad I will post more when I get home today and see if I can find anything with my microscope. This happened over the a handful of days. I was ultimately Trying to get my water back to pristine condition. Last week I performed 2 - 4 gallon wc and 1 - 7 gallon wc on my 22-23 gallon system. I figured after that the few spots that I had would go away not spread everywhere

 

[mcdrichj]

Here is a much better view. I know that I have hair algae in the very corner im talking about all over the sand. Im waiting for a someone to bring me a microscope then I will follow up with that. Im going to put some more carbon in the sump as a precaution.

 

[Bret Brinkmann]

It looks like diatoms to me. I do have 3 questions for you though.

1. What are your nitrates and phosphates at?

2. What test kits are you using for them?

3. What kind of water are you using for the water changes?

 

[mcdrichj]

Im waiting for a new nitrate and phosphate test kit my last one was expired. But I usually use red sea kits.

I use rodi water for ato and when I mix salt. Over the past week I have done two 4 gal wc and one 7 gal wc. Im trying to get my levels correct because im about to start the triton method.

 

[mcdrichj]

The tank has been running for 3 years. The last month or 2 I have been on top of my husbandry. Before that it was an algae farm for a few months when I didnt have time to take care of it.

 

[Bret Brinkmann]

Sounds like dinos are unlikely. Diatoms will eventually go away but it can take a while depending on the amount of Si in the water. A Triton test will definitely tell you how much there is. The Triton method will tell you what to dose and how so that all your levels are in good shape. Why wait?