Dinoflagellates

[SCETT316]

Pls Help Me I just realized what I have in my tank now It started recently. I would not say it is severe, but from what I have read I am very worried. The only thing I have added different to the tank recently is Formula Foods - Brine Shrimp Plus & Formula Two Algae Food. I only feed the fish once a day. The Formula Foods I have been doing every other day.Could that be the cause? I did a 25% water change today with DI wtr. the reading was 000. Should I do more wtr. changes? I just cut down my lights to 4 hours a day. I run carbon in the sump. I checked my parameters and they seem to be all fine. My PH has been around 8.5 during the day. Should I shut down my Calcium Reactor?
Sorry for the many questions, I guess I am a bit stressed with this new situation. I have lost a few snails in the past few days. I only found the shells, guess the starfish must of eaten them after they died.
Does this go away? How long?
Anyway if there is any advice I can get I would really appreciated.
God I love this hobby It has truly fulfilled my expectations of relaxing while viewing my reef.
TIA

[tatuvaaj]

SCETT316,

I assume you are a experinced enough to tell dinoflagellates apart from cyanobacteria and diatoms so...

Although free living dinoflagellates are extremely important part of natural reef systems they are not so nice in a aquarium as you (and I!) have noticed. What's even more troublesome is that in many cases the problem species are the toxic ones (at least the samples I've studied under a microscope). Toxic dinoflagellates can very well be the cause for your snail deaths.

I've found a simple and effective way to remove at least some species of dinoflagellates from an aquarium: mechanical filtration. I'm not sure exactly why it works, I originally tried it because I thought they might migrate to the water column at night (which they seemed to do). I've since myself used the same method three times successfully and also some of my friends have used the method with equal success.

What you need is a powerful in-tank filter that you fill with fine filter floss. That's it You must clean (or change) the filter material each day so that the dinoflagellates won't die inside the filter and poison your tank.

If you like to try this "method", I would be very interested in hearing the results.

[tatuvaaj]

Oh, and by the way: my reply didn't contain the standard "reduce your nutrients" advice, so...

Try to reduce nutrients in water!

I wouldn't necessarily recommend doing a lot of water changes because each water change can potentially bring in micro nutrients that the dinoflagellates need. (note: not necessarily the big three, nitrogen, phosphorous and silicate but for example iron, copper etc.)

[SCETT316]

Thx so much for your reply.

I assume you are a experinced enough to tell dinoflagellates apart from cyanobacteria and diatoms so...

I have never had it before. But after reasearching I am 100% sure.

I've found a simple and effective way to remove at least some species of dinoflagellates from an aquarium: mechanical filtration. I'm not sure exactly why it works, I originally tried it because I thought they might migrate to the water column at night (which they seemed to do). I've since myself used the same method three times successfully and also some of my friends have used the method with equal success.

What you need is a powerful in-tank filter that you fill with fine filter floss. That's it You must clean (or change) the filter material each day so that the dinoflagellates won't die inside the filter and poison your tank.

I do not have a filter to use. I only use my protein skimmer 24/7. Would I be able to place one in my sump and for how long? Also would you be able to recommend a particular brand. I figure between my sump & tank I should have 145gal. total water volume.

Again, I appreciate the help.

[SCETT316]

Oh, and by the way: my reply didn't contain the standard "reduce your nutrients" advice, so...
Try to reduce nutrients in water!

Should I reduce my feeding to every other day?
Thx

[tatuvaaj]

I do not have a filter to use. I only use my protein skimmer 24/7. Would I be able to place one in my sump and for how long? Also would you be able to recommend a particular brand. I figure between my sump & tank I should have 145gal. total water volume.

You should place the filter in the main tank! It needs to be as close to the dinos as possible. I think this is the reason why in-sump skimmers are not too effective removing dinos once they bloom.

Unfortunately I can't recommend any filters because I've used only one (old Fluval 4 model) for at least 10 years Quite good quality ;) Also, we have generally different products available here in Europe...

However, here are some from Marine Depot:
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...al.asp?CartId=
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...al.asp?CartId=
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...al.asp?CartId=

[tatuvaaj]

Should I reduce my feeding to every other day?
Thx

Well, it could help although in my experience once dinoflagellates start to bloom, reducing nutrient levels have little effect. Maybe others have different experience?

But having low nutrient levels is good husbandry anyway so why not Your fishes should handle the reduced feeding just fine, at least temporarily.

[SCETT316]

Here is what I have done, no lights for 24 hrs., reduced the photo period as well as feeding and replaced the carbon in the sump with Chemi-Pure.
My skimmer is now pulling out some really black stuff. Is this due to do Chemi-Pure? This is the first time I have ever used it.
Thx

[SCETT316]

Well just lost tonight one of my recent acquired fish, another one has a big white bulge on one of her eyes and is not looking too good and have yet to see her partner so I am assuming the worst at this point.
Needless to say how upsetting this is.
Anyway thanks so much for all the help that I have been given.

[Samper]

I got rid of the dinos fairly quickly and this is how. I raised up my ph with limewater to a constant 8.5 for 4 days. The first day no light, second day 2 hours, 3rd day 3 hours 4th day 4. I didn't feed anything the entire time. They are gone.

[tatuvaaj]

My skimmer is now pulling out some really black stuff. Is this due to do Chemi-Pure? This is the first time I have ever used it.

Unfortunately I have never used this product. Maybe someone else can answer your question?

[SCETT316]

I have kept my PH @ 8.5 during day 8.4 @ night. No feeding & also cut down on the photo period after an initial 24 hrs. of no light at all. As of last night during the period when my lights were on, I could already see a vast improvement. Also the 2 fish I thought were not going to make it, are still hanging in there.
I am pretty sure the Chemi-Pure was not rinsed enough, hence the black skimmatte, it is better as of today.
tatuvaaj
I temporarily put up two Hagen AquaClear 802 PH's that I have for w/c with the Quick Filter attachments. I have been changing the filters daily, you can see all the nasty brown algae on the filters when I change them.
I also finally gave in and ordered a UV unit which I should have by Tues.
Hopefully everything will be better soon.
Thx for all the help.

[tatuvaaj]

I'm glad it's getting better! Good work