Nuisance ID needed plz

NanaReefer · Feb 1, 2014

skinz78 said:
It really doesn't matter what those tests say if it is Dino's. They feed on silicates and the only way to get rid of them is to completely stop all water changes and let the Dino's consume all of the silicates and basically use up the food source and die. It could take up to six months for this to happen. Been there done that.

I believe your thinking of Diatoms. Not dinoflagellates, which do not consume silicates

skinz78 · Feb 1, 2014

Huh... Can you link me to some info that they don't consume silicates?

Reefing Madness · Feb 1, 2014

I'll go easy here, but she's right. Dinos don't need silicates. Nutrients yes. But from what I understand it doesn't need silicates.
It explains some here, but its a bit tough to follow.
http://www.int-res.com/articles/meps/86/m086p181.pdf

NanaReefer · Feb 1, 2014

And one on Diatoms.
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/AnimalDetails.aspx?enc=LeWQvjcLBGTMAf4fpaK+LA==

Mike J. · Feb 1, 2014

One more in agreement. Dinoflagellates feed on algal plankton, particulate organics, and other dinoflagellates. Diatoms are silica incased.

Beradd · Feb 3, 2014

So with the weekend and super bowl and my work I did not make it to the LFS or water tests. I will buy a test kit after my appointments today. But with the diagnosis of dinos flying around and the research I have done, I decided that since it looked like a mild case I would go with a 72 hour black out as im seeing a few others do here. I hope this is the rite choice...but either way its on.... the tanks lights are off the tank is covered with a black sheet and a fan placed blowing on the sump. skimmer is dialed in ....top off through the ATO is a kalkwasser dilution. planning a 15gal water change wed after the black out time is up. will be siphoning and storming the tank to get as much out as possible.

Reefing Madness · Feb 3, 2014

Right on. Thats definitely going in the right direction.

Beradd · Feb 3, 2014

thanks for the affirmation ....kinda scary.

Reefing Madness said:
Right on. Thats definitely going in the right direction.

Beradd · Feb 5, 2014

72 Hour black is done. Just before lights on, I stormed the tank with a power head and cleaned the overflow box out and swapped the overflow sponge out after. did a 5 gal water changed ...pulled out that one frag of what I call pigpen palys that had persistent GHA and 50% H2O2 dip. everything looks great...some of my Zoa's that I recently got decided to open up more during the darkness...Finally. Not seeing any algae or anything dino,cyno,diatom like at all. Tank looks great. will post some some follow up pix. thanks for the help. will update if anything re-arises. B