Dinos are the easiest thing in the reef tank, to overcome. Your system is literally telling you something - it's as simple as listening.
If you test your tank - you'll see what the issue is. (If you did - then you know the issue). You don't need a microscope.....or a support group - just need paitence and an understanding of your system.
Because your system is unique to you - an no one else.....only you can manage your nutrient export and management.
REMEMBER, once dinos appear - they will always be present...in the system. As soon as nutrients bottom out again - they'll come right back. You need to keep your systems nutrients at a healthy point.
Your tank is starving.
Now...that all being said, 9/10 times - Dinos are basically a LACK of nutrients. There are certain strains that thrive with misbalance or high nutrients. Again, this is where testing your tank, is key.
Corals, like fish; need food. Even a FOWLR tank.....need nutrients. Aquariums...are no different than people. You wouldn't be too happy....if you were hungry
You don't need to dose/add a No3 or Po4 additive, to bring up your nutrients. Doing "black outs" or using chemicals and medias.....are a band-aid solution. You need to address the cause - until you do, you'll keep facing the problem. Remember....your LFS, companies like BRS - they want you to treat issues with chemicals and medias.....its how they make money
There are much....much easier (and cheaper) ways, to manage low nutrients.
Your nutrients - it's very simple.
1. Start by removing any media - take it out! Your tank is starving.....it wants food. Media - is sucking up, what little nutrients are there.
2. Stop or reduce WCs - again, starving tank.
3. Put your skimmer and/or refugium on a timer - keep in mind, if you don't have enough surface agitation....the lack of skimmer, to oxygenate the water - will kill your fish (I've done it).
4. Just feed more - fish food OR coral. Corals....eat what fish eat. Coral foods.....are simply a bonus. No ones dosing Reef roids, in the ocean
As an absolute....last resort - dose in NO3/PO4 - but again.....this is remote and honestly, a waste of money. Very rarely.....if you follow 1-4, would you ever need, to dose in chemicals to increase your nutrients.
Your system....is exporting nutrients well - too well. For now - remember, that may change. Reef tanks...are constantly growing and evolving - dinos one week....GHA the next. Things can change....quickly, if we rush solutions.
Make slow....and methodical changes. Don't change to much - too fast.....or again, you'll end up with issues. Take it slow and steady - and you'll be solid. Just gotta learn your tank and it's biological system
