Help me ID

[rporter996]

I've been fighting algae in my tank for a bit, decided to buy a microscope to ID it. I've attached some photos any help would be appreciated!

 

[rporter996]

 

[saltyhog]

Those are Ostreopsis dinoflagellates. They are the most toxic of dinos so if you are seeing signs of toxicity (corals/inverts) run activated carbon and change it often. Lack of biodiversity is thought to be the reason for them taking over a tank.

They are best treated with UV. The UV should be sized at 1 watt/3 gallons of tank volume. DO NOT go by manufacturer’s recommendations. They do not take in to account treating dinos. The flow through the unit needs to be between 1x an 3x tank volume/hour(I would start at 2x). The pump should be placed in the display and the return from the pump is best to also go back to the display.

Anything you can do to increase diversity is helpful. You can dose phyto daily. Dose pods whenever you can or can afford to (they're easy to raise at home). Add biodiversity any other way you can (rock from a mature tank with no dino problems, "miracle mud" or similar product, etc).

These usually respond to a properly sized and installed UV very quickly.

 

[rporter996]

Those are Ostreopsis dinoflagellates. They are the most toxic of dinos so if you are seeing signs of toxicity (corals/inverts) run activated carbon and change it often. Lack of biodiversity is thought to be the reason for them taking over a tank.

They are best treated with UV. The UV should be sized at 1 watt/3 gallons of tank volume. DO NOT go by manufacturer’s recommendations. They do not take in to account treating dinos. The flow through the unit needs to be between 1x an 3x tank volume/hour(I would start at 2x). The pump should be placed in the display and the return from the pump is best to also go back to the display.

Anything you can do to increase diversity is helpful. You can dose phyto daily. Dose pods whenever you can or can afford to (they're easy to raise at home). Add biodiversity any other way you can (rock from a mature tank with no dino problems, "miracle mud" or similar product, etc).

These usually respond to a properly sized and installed UV very quickly.

I have a 20g innovative marine aio tank. I've been running there 9w uv sterilizer for a while now. I also always have carbon in my media basket. I just started dosing microbacter7 daily

 

[saltyhog]

I have a 20g innovative marine aio tank. I've been running there 9w uv sterilizer for a while now. I also always have carbon in my media basket. I just started dosing microbacter7 daily

I tried that same one on my IM 25 Lagoon without it helping at all....probably flow related. I used an Aqua UV hang on paired with a Sicce micra pump (turned down) with great success. I suspect you will have to do something similar. The IM unit that hangs in the rear chamber hasn't proved very effective for dinos unfortunately.

 

[rporter996]

I tried that same one on my IM 25 Lagoon without it helping at all....probably flow related. I used an Aqua UV hang on paired with a Sicce micra pump (turned down) with great success. I suspect you will have to do something similar. The IM unit that hangs in the rear chamber hasn't proved very effective for dinos unfortunately.

That's great advice thank you! I'll pick one up ASAP.

 

[saltyhog]

That's great advice thank you! I'll pick one up ASAP.

The 15 watt is almost the same price as the 8 watt. You might consider it even though it's over sized. Small tanks are the hardest to supply UV for dinos. There are lots of inexpensive and efficient choices for bigger tanks. Go figure!

 

[rporter996]

The 15 watt is almost the same price as the 8 watt. You might consider it even though it's over sized. Small tanks are the hardest to supply UV for dinos. There are lots of inexpensive and efficient choices for bigger tanks. Go figure!

This is my first tank I wanted something 50+ gallons but we currently live in a small condo so space was an Issue.

 

[rporter996]

The 15 watt is almost the same price as the 8 watt. You might consider it even though it's over sized. Small tanks are the hardest to supply UV for dinos. There are lots of inexpensive and efficient choices for bigger tanks. Go figure!

I'm going to pickup that 15 UV for Aqua what GPH pump should I get to hookup to it to achieve proper flow?

 

[saltyhog]

I'm going to pickup that 15 UV for Aqua what GPH pump should I get to hookup to it to achieve proper flow?

This is the pump I used. It has a slider on the side to adjust flow. I would start out with it reduced just slightly and in a few days adjust it further if not seeing good improvement.

MICRA Pump (90 GPH)

Sicce's Mi Mouse pump is a fully submersible, compact pump with the suction inlet on the bottom for optimum operation with low water levels. Small size is great for indoor or outdoor fountains, aquariums, and terrariums. Output: 90 GPH Max Head Height: 1.9 Ft Flow Regulator Power Consumption...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[rporter996]

This is the pump I used. It has a slider on the side to adjust flow. I would start out with it reduced just slightly and in a few days adjust it further if not seeing good improvement.

MICRA Pump (90 GPH)

Sicce's Mi Mouse pump is a fully submersible, compact pump with the suction inlet on the bottom for optimum operation with low water levels. Small size is great for indoor or outdoor fountains, aquariums, and terrariums. Output: 90 GPH Max Head Height: 1.9 Ft Flow Regulator Power Consumption...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Awesome thanks again I'll order everything up once I get paid Thursday. I'll keep in touch!!! I really appreciate the help

 

[rporter996]

Finally got everything in ended up going with a sicce silent nano turned all the way down to about 50 gph. I have that mounted to one side of the tank and the Aqua UV 15watt hang on, on the opposite side as they show in the instruction manual. How quick did you notice a difference?

 

[rporter996]

@saltyhog I've been running the UV for a bit now haven't really noticed much of a change so far. It may have slowed down the growth a bit. Any other things I can try? I have some DinoX should I start dosing that as well as the UV

 

[saltyhog]

I would not use Dino X ! How long have you been running, what's the flow through the UV?

 

[rporter996]

Id say

 

[rporter996]

I would not use Dino X ! How long have you been running, what's the flow through the UV?

I'd say around 50gph. It's in the 20g display tank. And why no on the DinoX just curious. I prefer to not use any chemicals if I can help it. Sorry using reef 2 reef on my phone and it was acting funny ignore that other reply lol

 

[saltyhog]

I'd say around 50gph. It's in the 20g display tank. And why no on the DinoX just curious. I prefer to not use any chemicals if I can help it. Sorry using reef 2 reef on my phone and it was acting funny ignore that other reply lol

I've seen way too many tanks lose too many corals with DinoX and have not seen it work well with Ostreopsis. You didn't say how long you've been running the UV at that flow rate. I would play with the flow rate if it's been over 2 weeks and see if things get better.

 

[saltyhog]

I'd say around 50gph. It's in the 20g display tank. And why no on the DinoX just curious. I prefer to not use any chemicals if I can help it. Sorry using reef 2 reef on my phone and it was acting funny ignore that other reply lol

I've seen way too many tanks lose too many corals with DinoX and have not seen it work well with Ostreopsis. You didn't say how long you've been running the UV at that flow rate. I would play with the flow rate if it's been over 2 weeks and see if things get better. (If you haven't done it, measure the flow rate to see where you're starting from).

 

[rporter996]

I've seen way too many tanks lose too many corals with DinoX and have not seen it work well with Ostreopsis. You didn't say how long you've been running the UV at that flow rate. I would play with the flow rate if it's been over 2 weeks and see if things get better.

It's been about 5 days

 

[saltyhog]

It's been about 5 days

I'd give it a few more days and then adjust the flow rate if you're not seeing significant improvement.