Help! Third algae/bacteria bloom in two months.

[nbrown82]

So, my phosphates are obviously through the roof if I'm getting these blooms. I'm still dealing with green hair algae, cyanobacteria and diatoms. Now I have what I think are dinoflagellates.

I'm especially worried about this new bloom because my torch coral has gone totally limp and receded and my pink carnation tree is covered in brown, stringy "snot."

Need help with two things:

1. Is this in fact a dinoflagellate bloom? (stringy brown snot full of bubbles and covering EVERYTHING)

2. Whatever it is, how the frick do I get rid of it?

Not sure of my levels exactly, I have my water tested by my LFS. Everything's awesome, including trace elements, besides the phosphates being crazy high. I underfeed, if anything, and make sure I do water changes at 10% every week and get any large food bits out of the tank the fish/coral don't eat.

I have a 130-gallon tank full of live rock/sand, 45-gallon sump also full of live rock, turbo snails, blue linckia star, huge protein skimmer, phosphate/ammonia scrubbing pad, and UV scrubber. Run halides usually at 8-10 hours, now down to 4-6 hours hoping to not feed the problem.

The ONLY thing I can think of is I fed Coral Frenzy last night...Can a bloom happen overnight?

Anyway, help!! Any tips on getting rid of phosphates and bacteria/algae bloom.

Overflow box covered in bubbles/biomass gunk

Sand covered in brown, stringy "snot"

Powerheads and glass top suppors COVERED in this stuff!!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

How high is your phosphates?

Also what type of water are you using?

 

[KatyEnochs]

it does look like dyno. You mentioned "Everything's awesome, including trace elements, besides the phosphates being crazy high"... well phosphates are a BIG deal when it comes to all of these outbreaks. Phosphates will play the biggest role in all of the algae cyano, diatom, outbreaks that you are having. Id be willing to bet if you got your phosphates down to proper levels, all of this would go away.

 

[Bigdaddy]

i too have really bad dino outbreak after trying alot of diff things and none worked i saw this thread and i am giving it a try hope you are able to get it under control i am only going on day 2 but after 24 hours of first dose it looked alittle better
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/re...gellates-my-experience-h2o2-reefing-tool.html

 

[fragmatic]

Do you have a refugium?

My battle with algae problems vanished in my display tank when I made sure my refugium has the lights on longer at night than my display tank and had brighter full spectrum lamps.. AND....after ... I built up my bacteria counts by slowly increasing my feeding volume until I consider myself in the heavy feeding camp. Now, my refugium is an algae monster and my display tank IS NOT. So the refugium is eating up all the algae growing chemistry, I suppose. .... OK, I do still have to clean my glass... but my CUC handles the rest.

It is a lot similar to running an algae scrubber, meaning you have to feed the algae in the refugium to battle the algae in the display. I know... that does not seem to make sense... but it does... however realize the lighting differential is vital. I feed my refugium by feeding my display.... wink... yeah.. you have to wrap your head around it. OK.. now, I DO NOT turn off my pumps during feedings.. you have to feed your tank, stop thinking about feeding your fish, feed all your life forms,.. this includes your unloved algae, the LR, the coral, snails, hermits, crabs, shrimps.. you get the drift... they all have to eat. THEN, is when it works!

Also, the difference of only a few minutes a day can make huge changes in algae in your display.

As far as PO4, I guess it is getting corrected by all that wild algae in the refugium and the large bacteria counts. It test low but let's be real, the high algae growth in my refugium (and pretty high in the display refugium) means there is absolutely some serious PO4 being generated and gobbled up.

 

[KatyEnochs]

i too have really bad dino outbreak after trying alot of diff things and none worked i saw this thread and i am giving it a try hope you are able to get it under control i am only going on day 2 but after 24 hours of first dose it looked alittle better
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/re...gellates-my-experience-h2o2-reefing-tool.html

Too funny. I'm on day 7- read the same thread..... Absolutely no ill effects, but the Dino did not go away... Might have to up the dose just a little....


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[KatyEnochs]

Do you have a refugium?

My battle with algae in my display vanished in my display tank when I made sure my refugium has the lights on longer at night than my display tank and had brighter full spectrum lamps.. AND. I built up my bacteria counts by slowly increasing my feeding volume until I consider myself in the heavy feeding camp. Now, my refugium is an algae monster and my display tank IS NOT. So the refugium is eating up all the algae growing chemistry, I suppose.

The difference of only a few minutes a day can make huge changes in algae in your display.

As far as PO4, I guess it is getting corrected by all that wild algae and large bacteria counts. It test low but let's be real, the high algae growth in my refugium (and pretty high in the display refugium) means there is absolutely some serious PO4 being generated.

Heavy feeding is most certainly not a good way to reduce phosphates. Building up a lot of bacteria does more for the nitrogen cycle than phosphates, it will reduce them a LITTLE, but not enough if there is a lot.

I know you mentioned this worked for you, and it probably did, but 99.9% of the time, the method you mentioned about increasing feeding will not be helpful....

On the other hand, changing the spectrum of lighting in the refugium is a great idea, and I could see how that could make a big difference in refugium algae growth, and have the benefits roll over Into the display.


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[fragmatic]

Heavy feeding is most certainly not a good way to reduce phosphates. Building up a lot of bacteria does more for the nitrogen cycle than phosphates, it will reduce them a LITTLE, but not enough if there is a lot.

I know you mentioned this worked for you, and it probably did, but 99.9% of the time, the method you mentioned about increasing feeding will not be helpful....

On the other hand, changing the spectrum of lighting in the refugium is a great idea, and I could see how that could make a big difference in refugium algae growth, and have the benefits roll over Into the display.


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Heavy feeding does increase the algae in the refugium and that is what attacks the PO4. Google algae scrubbers for more data.

Also, be aware I did an edit and added more information to my post while you were reading it.. .. I'm not sure if it makes a difference or helps.......... I tend to do that a lot. wink..

 

[nbrown82]

Hey, all. I'm in full battle mode with the dinos. Shortening my 250W halides + 54W T5s to 6 hours a day. Running a fluorescent light in sump at night. Definitely will be getting macro algae for the sump. Of course using RODI water for everything. Got some salifert test kits. Nitrates/trites are 0, Ca+ is 500+, PO4 is zero as expected because the dinos are eating it all up. Scrubbing tank with scraper and toothbrush for 2+ hours a day. Dinos are back within hours.

Considering a phosban reactor, GFO, macro algae, and then trying the H2O2 thing. This sucks. Never trusting my LFS again. That Coral Frenzy introduced the dinos to my setup. Grrr.

 

[fragmatic]

.... I think you are getting the picture... sorry...

 

[icycoral]

I'm not particularly a big fan of gfo but maybe that would help in your battle. I've had reef buddies over dose it so may want to start slow with that stuff but it could be a useful tool in your fight. Once your macro takes off it may do the job for you also. I saw that thread on using peroxide and it looks really nifty. Good luck with your fight.

 

[nbrown82]

Put some red fern macro algae in my overflow box. Stuff should take off and help feed my fish. Opted out of placing in refugium because my huge hermit crab would eat it in an instant.

Now dosing Brightwell Bio Fuel bio available carbonate additive. Basically like dosing vodka w/o the sugar and alcohol.

My original LFS guy that I strayed away from I learned did his undergrad in biochem and has been in the reef biz for 30+ years. He's got me back on track w/proper dosing.

Picked up more turbos and a golden squamosa clam. Should help even more with dinos. Thinking I just need to practice patience. Thanks, all.

 

[PaulKreider]

Pick up a lawn mower blenny, these guys litterally destroy algae.