In the past couple of months. I had an out break of dinos which took over my tank. Despite every thing I tied. I tried vibrant. No results. I tried dinox, no results, h202, again no results, did the initial 3 day black out, hum. Nothing. I got so desperate I tried one last thing, I new that I was going to need to break my system down and just start over. But I tried something. Very risky. And I pondered over it for a couple of days, and then went for it, I did how ever lose about 500 dollars in corals that I just loved, and it was heartbreaking, but this is what I did... I blacked my tank out again, and I used all three treatments together not very smart I no. But I was at my waits end. But I was lucky. I lost no fish, crabs or snails. Most of my coral are doing fine after all of the treatment, but I lose some corals..never have I unstood how I got this crap in the first place. And hope I never deal with again. But I did get some good info from u guys and I thank u for that..have a great day, now on my way to reef shack to replace my lost corals
Dinos
- Thread starter Tonyglover
- Start date
Do you have a refugium? What other forms of nutrient export do you implement?
I do have one with live rock and cheato.also run phosguard. If u have any suggestions I sure would appreciate any info I c as n get
I'm assuming that you had undetectable nitrate or phosphate during your dino outbreak? If so, reduce the amount of phosgaurd or discontinue and also prune back the macro algae. Dino thrives in restricted nutrient conditions and aggressive filtration tends to fuel the problem.
As far as phosgaurd, the only time I've ever experienced major losses in my 7+ years in the hobby was due to phosgaurd. Phosgaurd strips phosphate from the water column very effeciently, it becomes saturated in only 3 days. This can cause a rapid depletion in phosphate in the water column, for me it was too fast for my coral to adjust. I recommend a less aggressive approach like only healthy sized refugium that needs to be pruned every two weeks, thus can be accomplished with proper lighting, or the use of gfo moderately.
As far as phosgaurd, the only time I've ever experienced major losses in my 7+ years in the hobby was due to phosgaurd. Phosgaurd strips phosphate from the water column very effeciently, it becomes saturated in only 3 days. This can cause a rapid depletion in phosphate in the water column, for me it was too fast for my coral to adjust. I recommend a less aggressive approach like only healthy sized refugium that needs to be pruned every two weeks, thus can be accomplished with proper lighting, or the use of gfo moderately.
So I should discontinue the use of phosguard?
Was I correct about your nutrients?
I'm dealing with what I believe to be Dinos. But it's not bad now. (Knock on wood) I think mine is for that very reason that @bhodges82 just mentioned. I've been at 0 on nitrates and phos ever since I got this tank up and running. So I cut back on my fuge lighting schedule. I've done a three day lights out and it seems to be helping. I'm trying to stay away from any chemicals and just handle it as naturally as I can.
Yes u were. They were undetectable. But I now have my nitrate up to 10. But phosphate still at 0.
I suggest removing phosgaurd. Algae removes both nitrate and phosphate in equal portions and is much beer at helping keep a balanced nutrient level.
Thank you . I sure will do that
You can try feeding dry food such as pellets to raise your phosphate or try something like Seachem phosphate for planted aquariums to get back in balance. Go slow.
I sure will, thank you so much
This works to kill em but you need to remedy the cause or they will come back. Its just using bacteria and blackout
Black out for 3 days, I'm mean no light at all, do not feed your fish either, they will be ok.
Day 1: dose Dr. Tim's waste away (recommended dose on the bottle)
Day 2: dose Dr. Tim's waste away (recommended dose on the bottle)
Day 3: dose Dr. Tim's re-fresh
( recommended dose on the bottle)
Day 4: uncover, clean protein skimmer and all filtration. Return to normal light schedule.
Black out for 3 days, I'm mean no light at all, do not feed your fish either, they will be ok.
Day 1: dose Dr. Tim's waste away (recommended dose on the bottle)
Day 2: dose Dr. Tim's waste away (recommended dose on the bottle)
Day 3: dose Dr. Tim's re-fresh
( recommended dose on the bottle)
Day 4: uncover, clean protein skimmer and all filtration. Return to normal light schedule.
I will definitely give that a try if I have bbc the issues again. Thank you
So i just added a UV sterilizer to my system on Saturday morning and it seems to be helping out a ton. Only a couple of full days of it being online and I've noticed a huge decrease in the Dinos.
Have you started dosing nutrients?
That's great. While uv isn't a cure for dinos it may be helping. How are your nutrients?
The last time I checked which was a couple of days ago. Im guessing between 2-3 nitrates. (Guessing because using a Salifert test the color is in between 0 and 5.) My phosphates are still registering 0 using Hanna UL Phosphorus checker with brand new reagents.
I have not started dosing anything yet. Waiting it out for right now. Really trying to go a more natural way then to start dosing things. But if push come to shove I will dose what I have to. Lol
Slow and steady...
