New algae
- Thread starter ParkerK
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Looks like Dinos to me
www.reef2reef.com
Dinoflagellates – Are You Tired Of Battling Altogether?
I don't know what percentage of folks had luck battling dinos with any of the methods in the old Dino thread but it's obviously a very low percentage, so I'd like refresh folks on the natural alternatives and lay out three areas of info: some of the factors that contribute to a dino outbreak...
www.reef2reef.com
BanjoBandito
Valuable Member
Uh oh. Out of the kitchen and into the frying pan....
BanjoBandito
Valuable Member
I've had really good success getting rid of dinos, but if you search these forums there are HUNDREDS of pages of people singing the blues of persistent dinoflagellate problems.
BanjoBandito
Valuable Member
How old is the tank and what's the livestock/size of it?
BanjoBandito
Valuable Member
The reason I ask is because DINO X absolutely works, but it's got a high damage rate in my opinion. It's the NUCLEAR option. My tank was about 3 months old when I got a bad outbreak of dinos. So couple things first:
1. SUCK UP some of that sludge and get it under a microscope - a cheap pocket microscope that can see 200-300x is like 15 bucks on amazon if you're in the USA. That'll help you ID it. That's step 1.
2. When you're ready, try and siphon/blow off as much of it out as you can, if you are using a sump you can get a finer mesh sock to "catch" the dinos
3. UV light is a big help with most dinos that enter the water column (like ostreopsis) and can be handy to have around. I don't run one constantly, as I think they are "spot use" devices, but that's me
4. Most DINO plans involve a 72 hour blackout period b/c they are phytosynthetic
5. Turning down your white lights to zero and turning down your blues for awhile will help stop the spread or popping back up for a bit
6. MY SUCCESS has always been the same - decrease dino population - increase diversity - encourage diatoms and algae growth, they seem to be able to OUT COMPETE the dinos.
Here's how I've won a couple times -
72 hour blackout w/ UV running 24/7 directly in my display tank at about 3-4x turn over and 1 watt per 3-4 gallons. Follow the "DR TIMS" method through the whole process. Dosed "REEF BUGS" daily after blackout. BIG WATERCHANGE a the end with NATURAL SEA WATER. Maintain Phos of .1 and Nitrates above 10 through the whole process if possible. I still run at those levels (or there abouts....I don't get too excited)
There's tons of threads on "DINOS" on this site, everyone has different opinions on what causes it, how to treat it, but beyond that the best place to start is to ID the species then move on. I also think any combination of techniques work, but the most sure fire way is the blackout period. Dr. Tims method says to crack your lights back up after the blackout but I've always run about 50-60% of the normal blues and very little white and then slowly ramp it up over 2-4 weeks.
Good luck! I am not an expert. This is advice, not scientific understanding or teachings.
BanjoBandito
Valuable Member
Don't get discouraged, DINOs are a right of passage these days. lol. You beat this, nothin' will stop ya.
So I am turning light back on tonight. Going to go full blast with them like I was during normal time. UV was turned off because of the Dr Tims bacteria I added. I had my guy from LFS properly ID. I wrapped the tank with the black paper.
BanjoBandito
Valuable Member
Good luck! Don't get discouraged if you still see some dinos after you unwrap, just stick with the Dr. Tims dosing. Dinos can be super frustrating.
