dinoflagellates

[JosefDevaty]

Im fairly convinced after much online research that I have dinos. I have read that elevated PH plus a long blackout period (5days or so) works fairly well. Do any of you have any other tips? Water changes, additives, anything?
Also, can dinos cause RTN or STN in SPS? I know they can cause inverts to die... which I have experienced but what about the corals?
Wish me luck.

 

[iFisch]

Re: dinoflagellates

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15041637#post15041637 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JosefDevaty
Im fairly convinced after much online research that I have dinos. I have read that elevated PH plus a long blackout period (5days or so) works fairly well. Do any of you have any other tips? Water changes, additives, anything?
Also, can dinos cause RTN or STN in SPS? I know they can cause inverts to die... which I have experienced but what about the corals?
Wish me luck.

Picture(s)? That will hopefully nail down what you have.

 

[JosefDevaty]

Ill post some tomorrow. It is the brownish stringy slime that has bubbles in it. Snottier than cyano and almost a clear brown.

 

[iFisch]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15042208#post15042208 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JosefDevaty
Ill post some tomorrow. It is the brownish stringy slime that has bubbles in it. Snottier than cyano and almost a clear brown.

Or if you can find a picture of someone else's problem, to illustrate, we can further help you.

 

[smpolyp]

You may want to move your corals to stable tank and any herbivores if they haven't already died from eating the dino. Dino's love poor water quality, so a large water change before the regiment will help. You can do up to a 100% just remember to match the alk,magnesium, temp and specific gravity when you do. If any of these are at improper levels you will want to address it first. Kalkwasser is the best to use for elevating the pH. You will have to dose it a bit fast to get your pH high. It will be fine to let your calcium drop to 300-350ppm. Running a large UV during and after the treatment can help. Lots of carbon. Extra water flow. The skimmer will be going crazy with the higher pH levels so you may want to keep an eye on it and adjust as needed. Stay away from medications as they can harm the tank. If you must use them think again and make sure you have tried everything. If you still must think again. If you still must, turn off the UV as it will oxidize the medication. Be patient and good luck.

 

[JosefDevaty]

All of these problems started after I interceptored my tank. Things dying, algae issues, now this. Im honestly about to just restart the whole tank.

 

[smpolyp]

Yes it maybe be easier to start over. If you were aggressive on water changes, carbon ect... after the treatment you may not have to start over. I would still say to move the corals into a stable and easier to control system no matter what you decide. The sooner the better.

 

[JosefDevaty]

Yep thats what Ill have to do. Ill try to make some arrangements this weekend. I just want to get it back to where I had it before the problems started.

 

[mflamb]

Do a search. There are a couple of great threads in either the chemistry or reef forum about beating dyno.

 

[smpolyp]

You can try a big water change first. If the sand looks like it has no life (worm trails, live stars, ect) then I would pull it. Good luck and keep us up to date.

 

[Lutefisk]

As a person who beat the dinos a couple years back, unless something went way out of wack with the Interceptor, you should be able to make it through this just fine.

In answer to your questions:
Yes, by the time I finally diagnosed my problem I lost some corals during the outbreak. Russell has a good suggestion about trying to find a good temporary home for some of your more sensitive corals, inverts, and herbivores.
Lights out seemed to be the real key to getting rid of them for me (I combined frequent water changes, carbon, ozone, high pH, additional skimming, and dark). I completely covered my tank and only pulled back the cover a little bit when I fed the fish - less frequently and with less food than normal. Don't worry, your corals will be fine. When you restart your lights just take it easy with the intensity and photo-period.

My 2-cents is to pull out the stops and hit it with everything you can all at once (see my list above) rather than trying things one at a time.


Paul