Jennylynn9579 March 25, 2012 March 25, 2012 Ok, so I guess it's my turn to have some catastrophic mess... I have been battling with dinos for about 2-3 weeks now, I just came to the conclusion of what they were for sure about 4 days ago, and read what other people have done to fight them. Currently, my lights are off, the tank is covered for the 3rd day, and I've seen improvement. I've manually removed a million pounds of this junk with a turkey baster, I'm running GFO and carbon, and I'm skimming heavy. Since I'm relatively new to this, I had just started exploring kalk and all that, but haven't done anything yet. I know raising ph is helpful, mine is about 8.1, maybe a smidge under. I am looking to raise it to 8.5/8.6, as I've read in many places. I also ordered ultra algae x by fauna Marin, from England, as I cannot find it here. Anybody have experience with this? Opinions and ideas are welcome, I'm hating this stuff!
Jennylynn9579 March 25, 2012 Author March 25, 2012 Oh, one other thing, about the kalk - I don't have a reactor or auto top off or delivery mechanism. I've read about the slurry, it could be an option, I suppose. Or could I make a weaker solution of it with RO water?
Pants March 25, 2012 March 25, 2012 I'm a doctoral candidate studying dinoflagellates and have been trying to get samples from people's tanks to see which species are causing issues. Any chance you could save some that you are removing and give it to me? As far as raising pH I haven't met anyone who had success with that method and the start of that method was all based on a reading of a paper on a dinoflagellate species that couldn't possibly be the pest you folks are dealing with. It seems like hydrogen peroxide dosing is the best method of treatment. Many of these species are toxic. Have you noticed any paralysis in snails or avoidance of the effected areas by your fish?
Coral Hind March 25, 2012 March 25, 2012 I normally get them in new tanks but they seem to eventually run the course and go away as the nutrients are removed. I have noticed that the snails do tend to die off when I have had dino outbreaks. Do you have an RO/DI unit?
Jennylynn9579 March 25, 2012 Author March 25, 2012 Pants, You can have ALL of them!! I haven't noticed paralysis of anyone, 7 of my 8 fish are acting normally, not avoiding anything. In fact, my flame angel and clownfish pair hang out in an area where the gunk has proliferated, and it doesn't seem to bother them. There is one chromis who is acting oddly, hanging out near the back corner at the top. I don't think this is related though, as he has been bizarre for a couple months at least. There was an episode where his mouth looked strange, like it didn't close right and it looked like he had a covering over his mouth, similar to a knights helmet. Sounds nuts, but it's the best way to describe it. It resolved after a few days. He's been hanging out at the top intermittently for about 1.5 months but is still eating. Coral hind, Yes, I have a RO/DI. it's about 6-7 months old, I make about 40 gallons a month or so. It's a 5 stage and comes out at 0 TDS.
Pants March 25, 2012 March 25, 2012 That sounds like maybe a bacterial or fungal infection on the fish. Coral Hind, you sure you're not thinking diatoms? I'd love to have them all. Some local people have passed stuff off by meeting at a local fish store or other location. I'm in Frederick and commute to College Park each day so i pass Congressional and Aquarium One every day. What sounds convenient?
Jennylynn9579 March 25, 2012 Author March 25, 2012 I actually have to drive out to Frederick this coming weekend, not sure which day yet. Will be around lunchtime though. I have an order to pick up at Mr Coral. Does one day work better than the other? I'm indifferent.
Pants March 26, 2012 March 26, 2012 I'm heading to the airport Saturday afternoon but that is the only thing I have planned. I live about 3 minutes from Mr Coral.
Jennylynn9579 March 26, 2012 Author March 26, 2012 Ok well I will be going up there shortly after they open, like I said, just not sure which day. I'll let you know which day, and you can meet me there. I'll siphon a bunch of junk out right before I go so it's er, fresh for you.
treesprite March 26, 2012 March 26, 2012 When I had dinos in the nano I used to have, I just kept the lights off for 3 days and they vanished.
gilmour01 March 26, 2012 March 26, 2012 Black out periods are the only thing that worked for me. Peroxide didn't work for me at all.
Jennylynn9579 March 26, 2012 Author March 26, 2012 Today marks the 3rd full day of blackout. I peeked last night and they're drastically improved. I'm going to slowly start cranking the lights up, so we will see if they stay away.
gilmour01 March 27, 2012 March 27, 2012 i used the 'rolling blackout' approach. lights off for 3 days then on for 1-2 days then off for another 3 days until they were gone.
Jennylynn9579 March 28, 2012 Author March 28, 2012 Day 2 with lights on, no reappearance of the dreaded sludge!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Pants, you may not get a sample after all lol. If they come back I'll let you know!
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