Dino ID + Treatment

[RobertK]

I have 2 different ones, and they work differently

Can you elaborate on this? Which 2 do you have, and how do they differ?

 

[EnterName]

This is of course post hoc ergo propter hoc, as EnterName would say , and I have no control and no replica.

I see my pedantry hasn't gone unnoticed

I think it's fine sharing these kinds of ideas as long as no one is claiming they are the definitive proven answer.
So no worries I won't start an argument and I think your suggestion is fine and could be worth a try

 

[martin.a]

Can you elaborate on this? Which 2 do you have, and how do they differ?

Sure, what I meant was that the two I tried look different when added to the tank. The 'bone supplement' in jar seems finer, stays suspended longer, but is less 'sticky' to the rocks and sand. The brewing 'chalk' in the bag seems to may have larger particle size, makes the water look 'more milky', clears out faster, and sticks better to the substrate. The 'bone supplement' is US-made. The 'chalk' is Australian. Possibly one is ground and the other precipitated. Probably an expert would be able to distinguish just by viewing under x400 magnification.

Both work very good as flocculant - they make the water crystal clear. I also have not seen difference in livestock response - they basically ignore it, mostly. I have no idea if either is a more effective weapon in the dino-war. I would risk saying that if the actual mechanism is smothering, the 'chalk' may possibly be better.

Actually, proper Amphidinium-fighting experiments should not be that difficult to run. Still I hope I am never tempted to do them.

 

[martin.a]

I see my pedantry hasn't gone unnoticed

I think it's fine sharing these kinds of ideas as long as no one is claiming they are the definitive proven answer.
So no worries I won't start an argument and I think your suggestion is fine and could be worth a try

There is anecdotal evidence from other reefers that coral snow helps with dinos. So... maybe.... possibly... "A drowning man clutches at straws" as they say. (Although in my mother tongue we rather say 'clutches at razor blade' which may be a better illustration here. )

Anyway, to be clear: I can still easily see Amphidinium cells under scope. But there is much less of them, and the life in the aquarium returned back to normality, touch wood (or any other fate-improoving substance).

 

[EnterName]

Anyway, to be clear: I can still easily see Amphidinium cells under scope. But there is much less of them, and the life in the aquarium returned back to normality, touch wood (or any other fate-improoving substance).

Call count is what matters. After all, dinoflagellates are a part of the microbiology and food chain in our tanks, so they are always present in some form. As long as they don't start to cover everything it's fine. I'm glad you found something that appeared to work for you