Long threads irritating corals

[Red2143]

I have these long single threads on the glass and rocks that may be irritating the corals keeping them closed.

It's a single strand about 6 inches long, dark color, thickness of thread all over.

I haven't really seen this discussed?

 

[Bucs20fan]

Sounds like the mucous threads from dinoflagellates. Pictures under white light to confirm would help.

 

[Red2143]

Upper left of zoa

 

[Bucs20fan]

Although what type I cannot tell from a picture alone, a microscope would be required, this does look like the beginning of Dino’s

 

[Red2143]

Thanks for the quick reply. What are my next steps?

 

[Cthulukelele]

Typically if it's minor just leave things alone especially if the tank is under 6 months to a year old. If it's a growing problem, bottoming out nutrients can cause it. Do you have measurable nitrate and phosphate? If not feeding a bit more can counterintuitively help as other types of algae will outcompete dinos. That being said, I'd just ride it out and only make changes if it starts getting significantly worse.

 

[Red2143]

Typically if it's minor just leave things alone especially if the tank is under 6 months to a year old. If it's a growing problem, bottoming out nutrients can cause it. Do you have measurable nitrate and phosphate? If not feeding a bit more can counterintuitively help as other types of algae will outcompete dinos. That being said, I'd just ride it out and only make changes if it starts getting significantly worse.

Will it kill the corals if they don't want to open?

 

[Cthulukelele]

Will it kill the corals if they don't want to open?

Not necessarily but it can. If you want you can use a turkey baster to wash them away, but I wouldn't even be convinced the brown strands are the primary cause of the closed zoas

 

[Red2143]

Not necessarily but it can. If you want you can use a turkey baster to wash them away, but I wouldn't even be convinced the brown strands are the primary cause of the closed zoas

I did add ph buffer 5 days ago which I now know was a mistake. It's either that or the threads. Everything else is status quo.

Tanks is 6 months old.
Phosphate. 05
Nitrate around 5
Alk 9

 

[Cthulukelele]

I did add ph buffer 5 days ago which I now know was a mistake. It's either that or the threads. Everything else is status quo.

Tanks is 6 months old.
Phosphate. 05
Nitrate around 5
Alk 9

My suggestion: continue as normal for 1 - 2 weeks (zoas rarely melt in that time frame) and see if things return to normal. Overengineering a solution or being reactive regularly makes these sorts of problems a lot worse

 

[Bucs20fan]

I agree, just keep a close watch on those threads of dinos for an increasing amount. They are far easier to defeat if you catch them early. We will all be around if you see more, just send some pics in and we can help direct.