Brian M October 23, 2020 Share October 23, 2020 My tank has been suffering for months, I have bad diatoms, brown hair algae, my corals are bleaching, my zoas wont open. I keep doing water changes but nothing seems to help. I feel like the tank is a month or two away from total devastation. I am debating getting out of the hobby. Is there anyone out there in the Bethesda MD area that I could hire to figure out the fix? Or should I pack it in?ThanksBrian Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhOU October 23, 2020 Share October 23, 2020 Can you post some pics? How old is the tank? What you think are diatoms may actually be dinoflagellates. Either way, it can be overcome!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime October 23, 2020 Share October 23, 2020 How about some information, might be able to troubleshoot right here! Can you provide the following: Salinity Temperature Alkalinity Calcium Magnesium What are you using for water, when was the last time the filters were changed, what's the TDS coming out? What kind of salt do you use? Do you have photos of your tank? How often do you do water changes? Hold old is the tank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian M October 24, 2020 Author Share October 24, 2020 Salinity 1.025Alk 8.7Calcium 360Temp 79.3Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImGoingCoastal October 24, 2020 Share October 24, 2020 Whats your lighting and schedule?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhOU October 24, 2020 Share October 24, 2020 I think you do have dinos not diatoms. What are nitrate/phosphate (presumably low). Key steps... raise nutrients, stop doing water changes, dose bacteria supplements, reduce lights especially white, run carbon, and frequent manual removal of as much as possible (may have to slowly siphon most sand out). It’s a pain and no quick fix. But don’t give up. I went through this as well, so feel free to ask as many questions as you want.Sept 2018to nowSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jlombar1 October 24, 2020 Share October 24, 2020 Siphon off a chunk and throw it under a microscope to ID. Cheap ones can be purchased on Amazon. Dino Support Group on FB is excellent. Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkiCurtis October 29, 2020 Share October 29, 2020 Sorry Im out of the slag and even the real name of reef S&*%. What is Dino? What do you do if you have it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhOU October 30, 2020 Share October 30, 2020 Sorry Im out of the slag and even the real name of reef S&*%. What is Dino? What do you do if you have it?dino= dinoflagellates. There are different types, but usually look like brown snotty bubbly strings, or brown mats on the sand. Often mistaken for cyano or diatoms, best way to confirm is under a microscope. Most common in newish tanks started with dry rock and 0 nutrients. There are several theories/methods for treatment, but usually raising nutrients and promoting beneficial bacteria/microfauna to outcompete.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkiCurtis October 31, 2020 Share October 31, 2020 21 hours ago, jhOU said: dino= dinoflagellates. There are different types, but usually look like brown snotty bubbly strings, or brown mats on the sand. Often mistaken for cyano or diatoms, best way to confirm is under a microscope. Most common in newish tanks started with dry rock and 0 nutrients. There are several theories/methods for treatment, but usually raising nutrients and promoting beneficial bacteria/microfauna to outcompete. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk thank you for the response Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salty Rambler January 16, 2021 Share January 16, 2021 Brian, just found this post. I hope you are still hanging in there and having some progress in the fight against dinos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now