Dino's (I think), and how to raise PH while already dosing 2-part?

20 20 · 09/07/2007, 02:18 PM

First, I 'think' what I've got is dino's. Here's a blurry picture. Ignore the red circle with the Neomeris annulata, and look at the blurry gooey mess around it.

It's all over my tank, and has been for a few months. When it's short (1/4" or less) it doesn't blow off the rocks when I baste them. Longer than that, especially 1/2" or longer, it blows off easily. Slimey stuff. First, can anyone confirm that it is actually dino's? I can try and get a better picture later tonight, or this weekend if needed. Going under the assumption for now that it is, I want to get rid of it (doh!).

The two main methods I've found in my ReefCentral searching is raising the PH, and cutting off the photo period completely for 3 to 5 days. I already dose Randy's 2-part via a Reefdoser, and the PH normally stays between 8.0 and 8.2, sometimes up to 8.3. If I want to raise the PH to 8.5 or more, could I add limewater or lime slurry in addition to the 2-part that's already going into the tank? Should I add the lime and stop the 2-part? Should I forget the lime and up the alkalinity part of the 2-part? Should I put the lime in the coconut, and drink it all up? (See who's old enough to remember THAT!).

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

shootist · 09/07/2007, 11:58 PM

My ph was hanging around 8.0-8.1 for a long time. Once I got my calcium and alk to steady acceptable levels I started using the kalk and my ph went up to 8.4-8.5 within a couple of days. I started with a half-saturated solution(1 tsp. Mrs.Wages per gallon of RO water)added to my ATO bin,this has been a sufficient amount to keep my parameters pretty stable. I would monitor your levels closely for the first week or two,if your ph starts to get too high you may need to add vinegar. As far as your other problem Im not really certain what it is but some clearer pictures might help. Ive had good luck using a magnifying glass in front of my lens,hope this helps ya out some or at least bumps your post :/

20 20 · 09/08/2007, 07:10 AM

Are you also dosing 2-part in addition to topping off with kalk? I'm looking to raise the PH temporarily to 8.5 or above to get rid of the dino's (if that's what I got), but I'm not sure about addign kalk in addition to the 2-part I'm already dosing hourly with the Reefdoser.

Here's a couple more pics, still not great but I already had them:

Lots of the supposed 'dinos' on the rocks. If anyone else can make an ID on the stuff it would be greatly appreciated!

Oh, and thanks for the bump!

NoLimit · 09/08/2007, 07:48 AM

EDIT: I'm a dummy. didn't bother to read that you wanted me to ignore the red circle...

Sorry, don't know what the blurry, gooey mess is all about...

20 20 · 09/08/2007, 08:00 AM

Heh, well, I do appreciate the effort!

20 20 · 09/08/2007, 01:19 PM

Anyone else have an opinion as to the ID of the 'blurry gooey stuff', or of the feasability of adding limewater/slurry to temporarily increase PH to 8.5 or more WHILE also continuing to dose Randy's 2-part hourly via a Reefdoser?

20 20 · 09/10/2007, 04:28 AM

Would still like anyone's opinion, if anyone has one.

LesMartin · 09/10/2007, 05:27 AM

Looks like Dino's to me. There's another rhread on RC where someone is also struggling with these. Either Billvbeau or bertoni recommends raising Alkalinity to around 13 to combat these. I've just started with this method two days ago after battling an outbreak for the past 4-5 weeks. It's starting to look good with this method but it's still early days yet to be conclusive.

20 20 · 09/10/2007, 07:37 AM

Thanks for the reply! My alk hovers around 10.2 - 10.5, but my PH is not very high. I have read about raising PH to combat dino's but this is the first time I've heard about raising alk.

LesMartin · 09/10/2007, 08:25 AM

I'd heard of it before but I always assumed that 'high' meant 10 - 11.
it was only by chance that I found the other dino thread that an alkalinity of 13 was mentioned. I'll try to find it again and give you the link. I'll also update this thread in another 2-3 days to let you know if I was successful in getting rid of my Dino problem

LesMartin · 09/10/2007, 08:33 AM

OK This isn't the first thread that I mentioned but it may be of use.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1156681

fazgood · 09/10/2007, 09:30 AM

The only way I know to be sure is to take a sample and check it under a microscope. I found 2 types that are growing in my system. The oval types are the ones that are growing wildly. The triangular type do not seem to be as prevalent. I did not know what they were and I have had them growing for about 6 weeks. They are not so bad that they have harmed anything YET. I assumed it was cyanobacteria and was not too concerned since I know I have a slightly high nitrate level. So far I have been able to mitigate this problem by manual removal which seems to keep it in check.

I also read that this problem can be accelerated by old lights. My MH bulbs are getting up there and I will be ordering new ones this week. I attached a few images that I grabbed from the microscope. If you can send me a sample I can take a look and let you know.

Dynos:

2 types of Dynos:

Cyano:

Hope that helps,

Faz

09/07/2007, 02:18 PM	#1
20 20 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Stewartstown, PA Posts: 1,246	Dino's (I think), and how to raise PH while already dosing 2-part? First, I 'think' what I've got is dino's. Here's a blurry picture. Ignore the red circle with the Neomeris annulata, and look at the blurry gooey mess around it. It's all over my tank, and has been for a few months. When it's short (1/4" or less) it doesn't blow off the rocks when I baste them. Longer than that, especially 1/2" or longer, it blows off easily. Slimey stuff. First, can anyone confirm that it is actually dino's? I can try and get a better picture later tonight, or this weekend if needed. Going under the assumption for now that it is, I want to get rid of it (doh!). The two main methods I've found in my ReefCentral searching is raising the PH, and cutting off the photo period completely for 3 to 5 days. I already dose Randy's 2-part via a Reefdoser, and the PH normally stays between 8.0 and 8.2, sometimes up to 8.3. If I want to raise the PH to 8.5 or more, could I add limewater or lime slurry in addition to the 2-part that's already going into the tank? Should I add the lime and stop the 2-part? Should I forget the lime and up the alkalinity part of the 2-part? Should I put the lime in the coconut, and drink it all up? (See who's old enough to remember THAT!). Any opinions would be greatly appreciated! Last edited by 20 20; 09/07/2007 at 02:25 PM.

09/08/2007, 01:19 PM	#6
20 20 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Stewartstown, PA Posts: 1,246	Anyone else have an opinion as to the ID of the 'blurry gooey stuff', or of the feasability of adding limewater/slurry to temporarily increase PH to 8.5 or more WHILE also continuing to dose Randy's 2-part hourly via a Reefdoser? Last edited by 20 20; 09/08/2007 at 01:36 PM.

09/10/2007, 09:30 AM	#12
fazgood Not Quite Right Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ballwin MO Posts: 1,093	Dynos The only way I know to be sure is to take a sample and check it under a microscope. I found 2 types that are growing in my system. The oval types are the ones that are growing wildly. The triangular type do not seem to be as prevalent. I did not know what they were and I have had them growing for about 6 weeks. They are not so bad that they have harmed anything YET. I assumed it was cyanobacteria and was not too concerned since I know I have a slightly high nitrate level. So far I have been able to mitigate this problem by manual removal which seems to keep it in check. I also read that this problem can be accelerated by old lights. My MH bulbs are getting up there and I will be ordering new ones this week. I attached a few images that I grabbed from the microscope. If you can send me a sample I can take a look and let you know. Dynos: 2 types of Dynos: Cyano: Hope that helps, Faz

09/07/2007, 11:58 PM	#2
shootist Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Indy Posts: 168	My ph was hanging around 8.0-8.1 for a long time. Once I got my calcium and alk to steady acceptable levels I started using the kalk and my ph went up to 8.4-8.5 within a couple of days. I started with a half-saturated solution(1 tsp. Mrs.Wages per gallon of RO water)added to my ATO bin,this has been a sufficient amount to keep my parameters pretty stable. I would monitor your levels closely for the first week or two,if your ph starts to get too high you may need to add vinegar. As far as your other problem Im not really certain what it is but some clearer pictures might help. Ive had good luck using a magnifying glass in front of my lens,hope this helps ya out some or at least bumps your post :/

09/08/2007, 07:10 AM	#3
20 20 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Stewartstown, PA Posts: 1,246	Are you also dosing 2-part in addition to topping off with kalk? I'm looking to raise the PH temporarily to 8.5 or above to get rid of the dino's (if that's what I got), but I'm not sure about addign kalk in addition to the 2-part I'm already dosing hourly with the Reefdoser. Here's a couple more pics, still not great but I already had them: Lots of the supposed 'dinos' on the rocks. If anyone else can make an ID on the stuff it would be greatly appreciated! Oh, and thanks for the bump!

09/08/2007, 07:48 AM	#4
NoLimit Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 10	EDIT: I'm a dummy. didn't bother to read that you wanted me to ignore the red circle... Sorry, don't know what the blurry, gooey mess is all about...

09/08/2007, 08:00 AM	#5
20 20 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Stewartstown, PA Posts: 1,246	Heh, well, I do appreciate the effort!

09/10/2007, 04:28 AM	#7
20 20 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Stewartstown, PA Posts: 1,246	Would still like anyone's opinion, if anyone has one.

09/10/2007, 05:27 AM	#8
LesMartin Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: UK Posts: 471	Looks like Dino's to me. There's another rhread on RC where someone is also struggling with these. Either Billvbeau or bertoni recommends raising Alkalinity to around 13 to combat these. I've just started with this method two days ago after battling an outbreak for the past 4-5 weeks. It's starting to look good with this method but it's still early days yet to be conclusive.

09/10/2007, 07:37 AM	#9
20 20 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Stewartstown, PA Posts: 1,246	Thanks for the reply! My alk hovers around 10.2 - 10.5, but my PH is not very high. I have read about raising PH to combat dino's but this is the first time I've heard about raising alk.

09/10/2007, 08:25 AM	#10
LesMartin Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: UK Posts: 471	I'd heard of it before but I always assumed that 'high' meant 10 - 11. it was only by chance that I found the other dino thread that an alkalinity of 13 was mentioned. I'll try to find it again and give you the link. I'll also update this thread in another 2-3 days to let you know if I was successful in getting rid of my Dino problem

09/10/2007, 08:33 AM	#11
LesMartin Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: UK Posts: 471	OK This isn't the first thread that I mentioned but it may be of use. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1156681