Help me get rid of this algae.

eashton123 · Oct 19, 2015

I need help getting rid of this algae. Or suggestions on algae eaters to get rid of it. I have hermits they barely touch it. Slow growing. Its brown and almost looks dead but it grows. What is the most successful procedure to get rid of this.

Breakthecycle2 · Oct 19, 2015

Im going to be honest, I don't know for sure, but that MIGHT be the beginning of Dino's.

zwulfke · Oct 19, 2015

Is it stringy ??

Squadir · Oct 20, 2015

I have some of that growing on a few of my rocks, I just blow them off with a turkey baster... not sure what causes them to grow in the first place. Not able to find a 'cure' so far other than just blowing it off either with the baster or a small power head. Nutrients are in check so I'm really clueless. I did however read an article somewhere online saying that the spectrum of some LED's causes this ugly brown algae to grow.... my snails and my one hermit don't touch it either.

Salty0331 · Oct 20, 2015

Hard to tell from pic.....can you take a better one and warm up the pic? Dino is easily confused with Diatoms.....thing to look for would be like Zwu said...."is it stringy, but the tall tale sign is also little bubbles that form on the algae in question.....that combined with a snotty look could be Dino. This almost alway caused by high nutrient levels. What are you Nitrates and Phosphate levels?

Salty0331 · Oct 20, 2015

Squadir said:
I have some of that growing on a few of my rocks, I just blow them off with a turkey baster... not sure what causes them to grow in the first place. Not able to find a 'cure' so far other than just blowing it off either with the baster or a small power head. Nutrients are in check so I'm really clueless. I did however read an article somewhere online saying that the spectrum of some LED's causes this ugly brown algae to grow.... my snails and my one hermit don't touch it either.

If Dino is present, nutrient test may give false readings, this is due to the Dino sucking up large amounts of nutrients to reproduce. This would cause the reading to be near normal, that is why people have a hard time getting rid of them. The key is keeping the nutrient levels in check. You could reduce feeding, check salt ingredients, lower the light photo period, even running a blackout period. What you want to do is start them into extinction.

Salty0331 · Oct 20, 2015

I had a bout of Dino not too long ago, first time I battled this menace in the 16 years I have been reefing. It was a long fought battle and in the end it was successful. Be patient and stick with it! Many a reefer have given up due to this menace, but trust me if it is Dino your root cause is almost definitely high Phos/Nitrates.

Salty0331 · Oct 20, 2015

Eashton......are you running GFO and Carbon?

Squadir · Oct 20, 2015

hmm... you got me a little worried there lol... mine is sort of spongy not snotty though, had them for a while and never noticed any bubbles on/in it. so maybe I'm in the safe zone....?

Salty0331 · Oct 20, 2015

Keep an eye on it, and if you can post a better pic we might be able to better help you id it correctly.

Salty0331 · Oct 20, 2015

Sorry, don't mean to cause extra worry, but Dino is frustrating. Catching it early is key to getting rid of it before it take over. Don't hesitate to reach out. We are all here to help!