I think I have the dreaded Dinos

[_Jake_Simek_]

@_Jake_Simek_ I am going to go back and try to get better pictures of it.

I see them mainly in the sand, but i may see strings on some parts of low rock. In my original picture i do not see the beaks, but do see more off set points on the dinos. I will try to get more pics and videos to see. Thank you for the pdf super helpful!

Yes no problem! It sounds like an odd combination of both. I had both Dinos and GHA at one point and that was a living nightmare. Im surprised the diatoms haven't overtaken the Dinos yet.

 

[bvanfish]

Yes no problem! It sounds like an odd combination of both. I had both Dinos and GHA at one point and that was a living nightmare. Im surprised the diatoms haven't overtaken the Dinos yet.

I am wondering if i should boost some silicates to help the diatoms? my conch hoovers these suckers up

 

[_Jake_Simek_]

I am wondering if i should boost some silicates to help the diatoms? my conch hoovers these suckers up

I don't think that would be a terrible idea, Mabye confirm 100% that you do indeed have Dinos with the microscope and then maybe go that route.

 

[BetterJake]

@_Jake_Simek_ I am going to go back and try to get better pictures of it.

I see them mainly in the sand, but i may see strings on some parts of low rock. In my original picture i do not see the beaks, but do see more off set points on the dinos. I will try to get more pics and videos to see. Thank you for the pdf super helpful!

Tip if you are trying to get better image in microscope. Rather than looking at the thick Dino snot under the scope, as that can kinda make it difficult to see the individual Dinos.

Just get some of the water that drips from the Dino snot to look at.

 

[bvanfish]

Ok so I got really good pictures and videos of these dinos. Can you help me out ? @BetterJake @_Jake_Simek_ @Koh23 and the rest?

Prorocentrum or Amphidinium is my guess?

 

[BetterJake]

Ok so I got really good pictures and videos of these dinos. Can you help me out ? @BetterJake @_Jake_Simek_ @Koh23 and the rest?

Prorocentrum or Amphidinium is my guess?

Looks like Amphidinium, based on the hook in the front.

 

[bvanfish]

Looks like Amphidinium, based on the hook in the front.

so then no UV works, I will have to try other methods

would adding silicate help eradicate these?

 

[_Jake_Simek_]

Looks like Amphidinium, based on the hook in the front.

I second Amphidinium for the same reason, also their swimming pattern based on the video seems to match them as well. Prorocentrum Dinos have a more uniform rounded shape without that hook on the front.

Great pics btw

 

[_Jake_Simek_]

so then no UV works, I will have to try other methods

would adding silicate help eradicate these?

I think that is defiantly a good idea, I have personally never done it but I have heard many great success stories from it. I see nothing but benefits by taking that route and worse case it doesn't work and you can try other methods. Just keep an eye out on corals because you may see a depletion of trace elements that could harm them, just don't add too many silicates too quickly. Also keep an eye out for nutrients as to not let them bottom out.

If you don't already have a silicate product I would recommend Brightwell Sponge excel.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Amphidium and gha present and boosting silicates will promote diatom. Keep it simple. UV will address what passes through its channel- Not existing flagellates.
Prepare by starting with a water change and blow this stuff loose with a turkey baster and siphon up loose particles. Turn lights off (at least white and run blue at 10-15% IF you have light dependant corals) for 5 days and at night dose 1ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 10 gallons for all 5 nights. If you dont have light dependent coral- turn all lights off. During the day dose 1ml of liquid bacteria (such as micro bacter 7 or XLM) per 10 gallons. Clean filters daily and DO NOT FEED CORAL FOODS OR ADD NOPOX

 

[Koh23]

Regarding hydrogen peroxyde....

I know that it work great, but... Impact on pod population, crabs, shrimps... Is something that worries me...

 

[bvanfish]

I think that is defiantly a good idea, I have personally never done it but I have heard many great success stories from it. I see nothing but benefits by taking that route and worse case it doesn't work and you can try other methods. Just keep an eye out on corals because you may see a depletion of trace elements that could harm them, just don't add too many silicates too quickly. Also keep an eye out for nutrients as to not let them bottom out.

If you don't already have a silicate product I would recommend Brightwell Sponge excel.

I think I am going to start with pods, and phyto. Order some sponge excel I saw people use this with really good results. Start slow as everything seems to be ok for now.

My main worry is without water changes my trace elements / Ca / Mg/ Alk is dropping for my corals.

I also have 2 fish coming Friday (ordered way before I knew about the dinos) so I will for sure keep testing every parameter daily or 2x daily to make sure it doesn't spiral.

 

[_Jake_Simek_]

I think I am going to start with pods, and phyto. Order some sponge excel I saw people use this with really good results. Start slow as everything seems to be ok for now.

My main worry is without water changes my trace elements / Ca / Mg/ Alk is dropping for my corals.

I also have 2 fish coming Friday (ordered way before I knew about the dinos) so I will for sure keep testing every parameter daily or 2x daily to make sure it doesn't spiral.

Sounds like a good solid plan to me! yes pods and photo worked amazingly too, I have noticed that the Alge on my glass grows much slower since the addition of them. Yes, slow is fast, fast is slow.

During my no water change period, I did still continue dosing, I use BRS additives and it didn't seem to effect anything on the alge side of things.

Yes, testing everyday is key. Especially no3 and po4 and making sure they don't bottom out. Keep the times you test at as consistent as possible throughout the day to ensure all of your trends are as accurate as they can be.

 

[bvanfish]

Ya I’m not dosing yet really except mg since I’m only 3 months in but maybe I will give a touch.

today after dosing 2 days of P04 I finally have a measurable amount!! I haven’t in weeks! Nitrates are solid at like 8-12

 

[_Jake_Simek_]

Ya I’m not dosing yet really except mg since I’m only 3 months in but maybe I will give a touch.

today after dosing 2 days of P04 I finally have a measurable amount!! I haven’t in weeks! Nitrates are solid at like 8-12

That's great! Defiantly keep them detectable, you may want to bring those nitrates down a tad, especially with the addition of new fish. You don't want those to get out of hand cuz nitrates are a pain in the butt sometimes. You are doing great I think you are on the right track.

 

[bvanfish]

That's great! Defiantly keep them detectable, you may want to bring those nitrates down a tad, especially with the addition of new fish. You don't want those to get out of hand cuz nitrates are a pain in the butt sometimes. You are doing great I think you are on the right track.

Yes I did dose some nitrates yesterday. I think I’m going to go to every other day. And reduce my dose a tiny bit to zero it in

 

[_Jake_Simek_]

Yes I did dose some nitrates yesterday. I think I’m going to go to every other day. And reduce my dose a tiny bit to zero it in

That's perfect

 

[Idoc]

Any help with the specific type?? It looks like both diatoms and Dino’s

The pics are very "crowded" but the majority of what can be made out in the picture are diatoms. I dont see any specific dinos in the pictures. 3 month old tank is kind of early for dinos but in the sweet spot for diatoms.

 

[bvanfish]

Well I have nitrates doing well and phosphate doing well. I’ve been dosing MB7 and phyto with pods. I’ve also gotten sponge excel and have been slowly dosing that to increase diatoms.

Things are going well. I’m seeing less and less bubbles and looks to be slightly clearing up with the Dino look and seem to be more diatom looking.

 

[bvanfish]

I am noticing my water seems more yellow. Is this just excess nutrients / algae? Should I run some carbon / purigen or something to clear it up? Or let it get all nasty to out compete the Dino?