Dino?

[Chaim]

I started having this algae in my tank, I tried chemi-clean, seemed to have possibly help more with the red/purple algae (cyno) but not the brown. Does it look like it’s Dino? My phosphate is low but using the API tester so don’t know the exact number it’s between the zero and .25 but my nitrate is at zero. I started to dose neonitro & microbacter 7 to get it up. Does anyone recommend using Dino X?

 

[Flaxon-Waxon]

How old is this tank? I’d personally stop treating it. A lot of times if you aren’t aware of what your real NO3/PO4 values are, ie via ICP test or other reliable test kit, and you run ChemiClean, you’re opening up a lot of space for Dino’s to move in. Chemical treatments should always be a last resort, and most times only fare well in an established aquarium where the colonial bacteria’s and other microbiome can assist in processing the NO3/PO4 that’s currently present as well as being added to the system.

I do not recommend Dino-X. I do recommend dosing pods, live phyto, and bringing your nutrients to appropriate levels. Invest in some Hannah checkers if you can. The high range nitrate and ultra low phosphorous testers have served me well and fairly close to ICP testing when compared.

 

[Flaxon-Waxon]

And also- best way to identity is through a microscope slide. There are multiple strands of Dino’s, and they may have a different approach to dealing with them. In most cases, diversifying your bacteria through above mentioned methods will take care of nuisance algaes.

 

[Chaim]

Ok, thanks the tank is about 7/8 months old. By dosing reef phytoplankton and pods can get rid of the issue?

 

[Flaxon-Waxon]

Ok, thanks the tank is about 7/8 months old. By dosing reef phytoplankton and pods can get rid of the issue?

Yes. Try to get a few different species of pods. Tisbe, Tigger, Apex, etc. Their population will increase and stabilize with the dosing of live phyto. This will affectively increase your tanks biodiversity. Keepin in mind, this is not an overnight fix, just be patient and with diligent tank keeping your nuisance algae’s will get outcompeted. I’ve dealt with 2 types of Dino’s, and they can very easily sneak up on you down the road again, so you need to stay on top of your nutrient levels. Don’t let them fall to 0/0, Dino’s thrive in that environment since some other bacteria that thrives off nutrients has likely died off.

 

[Chaim]

Will do! Thanks again

 

[Flaxon-Waxon]

Will do! Thanks again

May also want to run carbon due to the toxic nature of some Dino’s

 

[Chaim]

Yes, I’m currently running carbon

 

[Flaxon-Waxon]

Forgot to mention you can also run UV. Oversized and low flow is ideal.