Do UV sterilizers help control dinos?

[scn]

Has anyone had any experience using UV sterilizers to help control dinos? Will it even work? Has anyone heard of any products to eliminate dinos?
I have blacked out the tank a couple of times now and it seems to work for a while but they always come back. The long periods of darkness are killing my plating monti so I don't want to keep doing this unless I have too.

 

[Billybeau1]

[welcome]

I don't believe a uv sterilizer will help much. Where do you run your alkalinity and pH?

There are a couple of threads in the Reef Chemistry Forum that might be worth a read.

Also maybe give this a read

Problem Dinoflagellates and pH
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-11/rhf/index.php

 

[scn]

The pH typically runs around 8.1 to 8.3 but will get as high as 8.5 by the end of the day. Alk is usually between 9 and 11. I guess I could always raise the pH for the short term and see what happens, but the dinos seem to be at their worst by the end of the day when the pH is at it's highest.
It would just be nice if there was some magic bullet for this stuff.

 

[daytonians]

Get a skimmer!!!! If you already have one, get a bigger one.

Your problem is probably organic and inorganic phosphates. You can get rid of them quickly by running Phosban and carbon.

In the long run, a really good skimmer is the way to go. Ignore the manufacturers ratings. Personally I think they are B.S. . Go with a skimmer rated for a total system volume of at least 2 times what you have.

I have about 120 total gallons in my system. My skimmer would probably be rated for at least 800 gallons.

 

[scn]

I have an ASM G3 skimmer which is rated for 250 gallons. Your right it is probably not enough but that's the largest one I could fit in the sump.

I run rowa phos 24/7. I was replacing it monthly (75 mills). For the last 4 months or so I have been replacing it twice a month. The hair algae is now gone and the dino's have been greatly reduced due the lights out for 4 days but some still persist. I also run carbon occasionally.

I am going to try and keep running this way and run a "dark day" once a week and see how the dino's progress.

 

[daytonians]

Rowa Phos will only absorb inorganic Phos. You need to run carbon to absorb organic phos. Try running a lot of carbon, and I bet you see an improvement.

 

[scn]

I'll try running the carbon. Any idea on how much and how often to change it out? Since I'm going to run it for extended periods I'll probably just put a bag of it in the sump.

 

[Billybeau1]

I run carbon 24/7. I use Matrix.

Just make sure its a good quality carbon.

As Boomer will tell you, the quality of carbon makes a big difference.

I renew my carbon about every 6 weeks.

FWIW, I bought a H.O.T. Magnum and I run my carbon and GFO in the same canister. It not only gives my tank added circulation but gives me a place to run my Po4 remover.

A little more maintenance but I like the results.