Can Melafix get rid of dinoflagellates?

plancton · 02/19/2009, 02:08 PM

When I thought my problem was algae I asked the LFS guy and he told me that some people are using Melafix to get rid of algae problems and that it is particulary good agains cyano.

My problem is dinoflagellates and I am already having a PH of 8.8, removed sand bed, scrapped the rocks, etc. And it keeps comming back, So now IÂ´m thinking on going through the medications phase, can any one comment on this?

shred5 · 02/19/2009, 02:25 PM

Anything that would kill dinoflagellates would kill your coral... Zooxanthellae are dinoflagellates...

Even if you could kill them they would be back. Dinoflagellates are common in saltwater and would just be introduced again and the same goes for cyanoâ€¦ You have too know how to control them..

Cyano is a bacteria not a algae. Dinoflagellates are algae.

Melafix is a antibacterial med which could explain why it might work on cyano.

Dave

jasonrp104 · 02/19/2009, 02:29 PM

I've only had 2 cyano outbreaks. Both times turbo snails took care of it

plancton · 02/19/2009, 02:32 PM

We are not talking about cyano, we are talking dinoflagellates that is the problem IÂ´m having.

The LFS says they have used Melafix in reef tanks to get rid of algae with good success rates and no damage to corals or inverts.

shred5 · 02/19/2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by plancton
We are not talking about cyano, we are talking dinoflagellates that is the problem IÂ´m having.

The LFS says they have used Melafix in reef tanks to get rid of algae with good success rates and no damage to corals or inverts.

Most local fish stores do not know the difference between cyano, dino's or bacteria.. Any algaecide would kill coral.

Dave

seapug · 02/19/2009, 02:55 PM

Kalkwasser drips are a proven method for getting rid of Dinos. Also make sure you are using properly purified water for topoffs, step up the water change routine and improve flow in the tank.

plancton · 02/19/2009, 02:56 PM

IÂ´ve read the reviews in marinedepot about algae fix and everybody says its proven to be reef safe and not damaging corals or inverts. From what I understand algaecides work by making it hard for the nutrients algae feeds on to bound to the algae. I donÂ´t know what the dinos are feeding on, certainly IÂ´ve tried everything, so maybe I canÂ´t know what theyÂ´re feeding on but perhaps I could prevent them from absorbing that food by using an algaecide, and if I keep the right parameters such as good water quality and high ph they might not come back.

The other option I had was to buy 10 sea hares, but they are way to pricey and only partially worked last time.

mscarpena · 02/19/2009, 04:58 PM

I tried the whole sea hare thing and they did not touch it for me. I added a scribbled rabbit fish and it ate it up really fast. Also ate some pretty nice zoo's, but I'm glad the dino's are gone.

plancton · 02/19/2009, 05:18 PM

I have a sailfin tang that seems to munch them every now and then but not enough to make a difference, they grow again to fast, was your tank full of dinos or was it just a few rocks?, and how big was the rabbitfish?

troyman · 02/20/2009, 06:59 AM

i used algafix had no problems at all use as recomended dont think more is better remove all your media while you are treating the tank

02/19/2009, 02:08 PM	#1
plancton Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mexico Posts: 1,866	Can Melafix get rid of dinoflagellates? When I thought my problem was algae I asked the LFS guy and he told me that some people are using Melafix to get rid of algae problems and that it is particulary good agains cyano. My problem is dinoflagellates and I am already having a PH of 8.8, removed sand bed, scrapped the rocks, etc. And it keeps comming back, So now IÂ´m thinking on going through the medications phase, can any one comment on this?

02/19/2009, 02:25 PM	#2
shred5 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Waukesha , WI Posts: 4,998	Anything that would kill dinoflagellates would kill your coral... Zooxanthellae are dinoflagellates... Even if you could kill them they would be back. Dinoflagellates are common in saltwater and would just be introduced again and the same goes for cyanoâ€¦ You have too know how to control them.. Cyano is a bacteria not a algae. Dinoflagellates are algae. Melafix is a antibacterial med which could explain why it might work on cyano. Dave Last edited by shred5; 02/19/2009 at 02:31 PM.

02/19/2009, 02:32 PM	#4
plancton Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mexico Posts: 1,866	We are not talking about cyano, we are talking dinoflagellates that is the problem IÂ´m having. The LFS says they have used Melafix in reef tanks to get rid of algae with good success rates and no damage to corals or inverts. __________________ Hansel, he´s so hot right now...

02/19/2009, 02:55 PM	#6
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	Kalkwasser drips are a proven method for getting rid of Dinos. Also make sure you are using properly purified water for topoffs, step up the water change routine and improve flow in the tank. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

02/19/2009, 02:56 PM	#7
plancton Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mexico Posts: 1,866	IÂ´ve read the reviews in marinedepot about algae fix and everybody says its proven to be reef safe and not damaging corals or inverts. From what I understand algaecides work by making it hard for the nutrients algae feeds on to bound to the algae. I donÂ´t know what the dinos are feeding on, certainly IÂ´ve tried everything, so maybe I canÂ´t know what theyÂ´re feeding on but perhaps I could prevent them from absorbing that food by using an algaecide, and if I keep the right parameters such as good water quality and high ph they might not come back. The other option I had was to buy 10 sea hares, but they are way to pricey and only partially worked last time. __________________ Hansel, he´s so hot right now...

02/19/2009, 02:29 PM	#3
jasonrp104 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: vt Posts: 1,113	I've only had 2 cyano outbreaks. Both times turbo snails took care of it

02/19/2009, 04:58 PM	#8
mscarpena Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Buffalo, New York Posts: 1,924	I tried the whole sea hare thing and they did not touch it for me. I added a scribbled rabbit fish and it ate it up really fast. Also ate some pretty nice zoo's, but I'm glad the dino's are gone.

02/19/2009, 05:18 PM	#9
plancton Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mexico Posts: 1,866	I have a sailfin tang that seems to munch them every now and then but not enough to make a difference, they grow again to fast, was your tank full of dinos or was it just a few rocks?, and how big was the rabbitfish? __________________ Hansel, he´s so hot right now...

02/20/2009, 06:59 AM	#10
troyman Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: troy ny Posts: 1,025	i used algafix had no problems at all use as recomended dont think more is better remove all your media while you are treating the tank