Green Hair algae, zero nitrates and dinos

[ChrissyK75]

I definitely prefer dealing with dino than GHA. I also question whether you have GHA before or bryopsis. Given the amount of tangs you have, I am surprised you had GHA issues.

For dinos, it's fairly simple

- manual removal via turkey baster, siphoning, more frequent mechanical filter change
- add more pods
- feed fish more
- feed corals more with reef roids

All but the purple and naso are new in the tank in an effort to help with the GHA and they have been doing their job. I do feel it is definitely improving and at least under control. I did a few rounds of Flux Rx and it improved but did not knock it out as I would expect if it were bryopsis. This morning I finally got a .8 reading on my NO3 so I'm hoping we're moving in the right direction. I will definitely add more pods. Thoughts on phyto as well?

 

[ChrissyK75]

If the fish are feed enough daily the nitrates should still feed the corals, if you look at the video her tank is pretty stocked with fish, but it is always good to test nitrates, hers are currently at 0, but when shes introduces the pods and phyto the corals will also be able to feed on the phyto as well. But I agree with you.

I finally got a reading of .8 this morning. Corals are looking ok. I cut back on phyto while I was dealing with the GHA. Is your opinion that I should resume feeding phyto?

 

[ChrissyK75]

Your tank is beautiful by the way. Do you have a build thread?

Thank you very much! I don't have a build thread at this point. Since I've been battling all the uglies, I haven't really wanted to post pictures

 

[ninjamyst]

All but the purple and naso are new in the tank in an effort to help with the GHA and they have been doing their job. I do feel it is definitely improving and at least under control. I did a few rounds of Flux Rx and it improved but did not knock it out as I would expect if it were bryopsis. This morning I finally got a .8 reading on my NO3 so I'm hoping we're moving in the right direction. I will definitely add more pods. Thoughts on phyto as well?

Phyto is always beneficial to the tank. This is just the ugly phase as your tank matures and stabilizes. Pods and phyto will feed all the beneficial organisms that will form and create the necessary biodiversity for your tank to thrive. Algae and dino come when there is a lack of that matured biodome. We all go through it. Can't wait to see your tank mature more. You made really good choice on fish (maybe except for that clown tang =P).

Don't forget to keep siphoning out the current dinos and keep changing your filter pads / socks often. The ones on the rock you can just blow off with a turkey baster or something.

 

[ChrissyK75]

Phyto is always beneficial to the tank. This is just the ugly phase as your tank matures and stabilizes. Pods and phyto will feed all the beneficial organisms that will form and create the necessary biodiversity for your tank to thrive. Algae and dino come when there is a lack of that matured biodome. We all go through it. Can't wait to see your tank mature more. You made really good choice on fish (maybe except for that clown tang =P).

Don't forget to keep siphoning out the current dinos and keep changing your filter pads / socks often. The ones on the rock you can just blow off with a turkey baster or something.

 

[ChrissyK75]

Ok. So I'll resume phyto. Start with pods. Continue siphoning. Any thoughts on reducing lighting intensity and/or time?

And thank you! It's actually a sohal tang. I'm hoping that putting him in as a baby with more mature tangs will keep the aggression down. So far we're doing ok. I intentionally stayed away from a clown tang.

 

[twiatr2001]

Continue the phytoplankton, I will usually turn lights off for 2-3 days completely and that helps a lot, since it feeds off of light

 

[FDAWG]

Are you making your own RODI? How's your TDS?

 

[ChrissyK75]

Are you making your own RODI? How's your TDS?

Yes and TDS is zero.

 

[ChrissyK75]

UPDATE: microscopic confirmation of Dino’s. Specifically prorocentrum

 

[twiatr2001]

Any Progress?

 

[ChrissyK75]

Any Progress?

Sort of? I'm working with an ID of prorocentrum. So dosing silicates and MB7. Addressing minor and trace element deficiencies identified on ICP. No water changes (NO3 and PO4 coming up but getting false high readings). Siphoning out visible dinos. Reduced lighting intensity and time (zero reds or greens). Running carbon. Diatoms are just beginning to show up on glass.

 

[twiatr2001]

Did you try cutting off all light for a few days?

 

[Sleeping Giant]

yup looks like dinos

 

[ChrissyK75]

Did you try cutting off all light for a few days?

I did when I was using the Dino X but not with the new process in place. There is a hitch in the plans because I have to leave to go out of town for 5 days tomorrow. I need to simplify things for someone to be able to handle while I'm gone. I'll see where we're at when I get back and then maybe try that when I can monitor things more closely.

 

[Lavey29]

I did when I was using the Dino X but not with the new process in place. There is a hitch in the plans because I have to leave to go out of town for 5 days tomorrow. I need to simplify things for someone to be able to handle while I'm gone. I'll see where we're at when I get back and then maybe try that when I can monitor things more closely.

Try putting a piece of filter floss on a magnetic clip overnight. Change it out daily. Just use it during nighttime hours

 

[twiatr2001]

yes this will attract the dinos to the floss