What is this stuff?

Cahooligan · 05/05/2010, 06:30 PM

I have no idea what this stuff is. is it some kind of algae? all of this has grown since i siphoned it out 2 days ago and did a 20% water change. its pretty much taken over most of the tank. any help is appreciated along with any solutions to the issue.

Potsy · 05/05/2010, 08:05 PM

Those are dinoflagellates, a nuisance version of the symbiotic algae that live in your corals. They can be toxic to snails. Perform water changes and siphon out as much as you can.

Cahooligan · 05/05/2010, 08:10 PM

Ok thanks

returnofsid · 05/05/2010, 08:39 PM

Actually, studies have shown that water changes seem to feed dinoflagellates and may not be a good idea. Also, don't blow it off with power heads or a turkey baster. There are 2 somewhat successful ways to combat dinos. One is a bit more difficult than the other.

1. Raise pH to 8.7 and keep it there for a couple of weeks. This is difficult, because it requires dosing baking soda, several times per day.

2. Totally turn off all your lights, for 5 days. After 5 days, turn your lights on for 4 hours per day. Every 2 days, increase your lighting period by 1 hour, until you're at your full photo period.

#2 is scary for some, especially if they have SPS corals or clams. However, they'll be just fine. I did this about a year ago, in a tank that was full of SPS and had 2 clams. Everything was just fine and dinos haven't come back since.

Dinos are a huge pain in the butt!! As mentioned, they are toxic to herbivores, including snails and fish. They're also potentially lethal to your entire tank, because of their life cycle. At night, they completely die off, taking all the oxygen out of the water, as they die. During the day, they grow quickly, by mid-day everything is covered in slimy snot!! The danger comes as they die, and consume all the oxygen.

This life cycle also makes identifying dinos easy, since they're easily confused with some forms of Cyanobacteria. In the mornings, the tank will look great. By mid-day, snot everywhere. Cyano will look just the same in the morning, as mid-day.

Cahooligan · 05/06/2010, 04:22 AM

Ok ill go with the lights thanks for the info

SleepyJ · 05/06/2010, 04:25 AM

I completely got rid of my dinos with a phosban reactor. I changed the media every 2 weeks, and the dinos were gone in a little more than a month.

05/06/2010, 04:25 AM	#6
SleepyJ Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Niantic, CT Posts: 425	I completely got rid of my dinos with a phosban reactor. I changed the media every 2 weeks, and the dinos were gone in a little more than a month. __________________ Justin

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05/05/2010, 08:05 PM	#2
Potsy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Kinnelon, NJ Posts: 1,827	Those are dinoflagellates, a nuisance version of the symbiotic algae that live in your corals. They can be toxic to snails. Perform water changes and siphon out as much as you can.

05/05/2010, 08:10 PM	#3
Cahooligan Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Jersey Posts: 339	Ok thanks

05/05/2010, 08:39 PM	#4
returnofsid Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,852	Actually, studies have shown that water changes seem to feed dinoflagellates and may not be a good idea. Also, don't blow it off with power heads or a turkey baster. There are 2 somewhat successful ways to combat dinos. One is a bit more difficult than the other. 1. Raise pH to 8.7 and keep it there for a couple of weeks. This is difficult, because it requires dosing baking soda, several times per day. 2. Totally turn off all your lights, for 5 days. After 5 days, turn your lights on for 4 hours per day. Every 2 days, increase your lighting period by 1 hour, until you're at your full photo period. #2 is scary for some, especially if they have SPS corals or clams. However, they'll be just fine. I did this about a year ago, in a tank that was full of SPS and had 2 clams. Everything was just fine and dinos haven't come back since. Dinos are a huge pain in the butt!! As mentioned, they are toxic to herbivores, including snails and fish. They're also potentially lethal to your entire tank, because of their life cycle. At night, they completely die off, taking all the oxygen out of the water, as they die. During the day, they grow quickly, by mid-day everything is covered in slimy snot!! The danger comes as they die, and consume all the oxygen. This life cycle also makes identifying dinos easy, since they're easily confused with some forms of Cyanobacteria. In the mornings, the tank will look great. By mid-day, snot everywhere. Cyano will look just the same in the morning, as mid-day.

05/06/2010, 04:22 AM	#5
Cahooligan Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Jersey Posts: 339	Ok ill go with the lights thanks for the info