Dinoflagellates – Are You Tired Of Battling Altogether?

[JaimeAdams]

What do you guys think about these ones? I've never seen such dense population in a sample before. There is some Ostreopsis swirling around, but not the majority.

 

[ScottB]

What do you guys think about these ones? I've never seen such dense population in a sample before. There is some Ostreopsis swirling around, but not the majority.

Awestruck. This is next level. Never seen anything like it. From these images, I cannot tell which species isn't present. I have been on this thread for a long while, and this concentration is new. I cannot see how you have anything to lose by pulling hard on every lever I list here:

A Dinoflagellate Treatment Guide

docs.google.com

 

[JaimeAdams]

Awestruck. This is next level. Never seen anything like it. From these images, I cannot tell which species isn't present. I have been on this thread for a long while, and this concentration is new. I cannot see how you have anything to lose by pulling hard on every lever I list here:

A Dinoflagellate Treatment Guide

docs.google.com

I know man, it's insane! I get a good amount of samples from people at the store that I manage, but I have never seen anything close to this density. I was totally geeking out.

 

[dtdream]

Hi, can anyone help identify the type of dinos here? thank you!

 

[iLMaRiO]

@ScottB based on the PDF guide (taricha), I'm almost sure I have some Amphidinium (Large-Cell), they are very similiar to diatoms (and they looks like the pics on the PDF). So what's the best way to get rid of that ?

I'm restored the use of Fauna Marin Dino X 2 days ago. Tonight i'll dose the second time. metronidazole could help ?

 

[thedon986]

Hi, can anyone help identify the type of dinos here? thank you!

Ostreopsis. Break out a big UV and go to town.

 

[ScottB]

Hi, can anyone help identify the type of dinos here? thank you!

Ostreopsis for the win.

 

[ScottB]

@ScottB based on the PDF guide (taricha), I'm almost sure I have some Amphidinium (Large-Cell), they are very similiar to diatoms (and they looks like the pics on the PDF). So what's the best way to get rid of that ?

I'm restored the use of Fauna Marin Dino X 2 days ago. Tonight i'll dose the second time. metronidazole could help ?

I am not a fan of additives of unknown content, nor dosing antibiotics to my systems.

Instead I feel we should be supporting the health of competing microorganisms. Diatoms, film algae, bacterial film, pods, etc.

 

[iLMaRiO]

I am not a fan of additives of unknown content, nor dosing antibiotics to my systems.

Instead I feel we should be supporting the health of competing microorganisms. Diatoms, film algae, bacterial film, pods, etc.

Up to today, which is the best way to get rid of this kind of dino ?
The tank doesn't have healty corals, only fishes are fine, that's why i don't have so much issue using chemicals or antibiotics, as long they fix the issue as fast as possible. I would like to re-add corals

 

[iLMaRiO]

Pics taken right now with a new microscope. I'm still trying to figure out how to focus the image with the native webcam. (or how to use a greater zoom)

 

[ScottB]

Up to today, which is the best way to get rid of this kind of dino ?
The tank doesn't have healty corals, only fishes are fine, that's why i don't have so much issue using chemicals or antibiotics, as long they fix the issue as fast as possible. I would like to re-add corals

That picture isn't magnified enough to say for sure, but those look like LC Amphids.

I don't subscribe to the "fast fix" school of reefing. In my experience, that just trades one problem for another.

Dinos are not super-predators. They are scavengers that thrive when the other surface competitors are being suppressed, poisoned or starved.

Keep the system nutrients (NO3 and PO4) up for a while. Add some silicates to feed diatoms and other competing microorganisms.

 

[iLMaRiO]

To increase NO3 and PO4 should I feed fishes like whales ?

 

[Acros]

To increase NO3 and PO4 should I feed fishes like whales ?

Dose nitrates and phosphates. I use NeoNitro and NeoPhos when needed.

 

[undermind]

[double post]

 

[Yodeling]

I have made an interesting observation.

If you recall, I had "won" a battle against Ostreopsis by using a multitude of techniques, including UV and heavy bacteria dosing. Right before I went on vacation a week ago I added a new frag rack to house some new corals. I came back yesterday and there are some (tiny amount of) new dinos on the new rack. The other frag racks, rocks, and other surfaces are completely clear of dinos.

This supports the theory (kudos to @ScottB for reiterating it many times) that surface competition is key to keeping dinos at bay. I believe the new frag rack just didn't have enough established surface algae/bacteria/etc to outcompete the dinos, so some dinos took hold.

I will keep a close watch and post updates.

 

[docsky729]

I have been battling this brown slime for a while. It never seems to go away at night. Easy to pull out with a turkey baster but is back the next day. Seams to love living on dead spots on sps. I am pretty sure it kills the sps it lands on To create its home. Some time it seams to spread faster then others. I found an id guide and wonder if it might be chryscophte not sure but I attached a pic from the guide. Any help with id would be great. I can try and get different pics if needed. Thanks for the help.

 

[iLMaRiO]

po4 : 0.30
something is not working here... and no, increasing po4 (from 0.02 to 0.30) doesn't make any change to LC Amphids they are still here and growing

 

[Yodeling]

I have been battling this brown slime for a while. It never seems to go away at night. Easy to pull out with a turkey baster but is back the next day. Seams to love living on dead spots on sps. I am pretty sure it kills the sps it lands on To create its home. Some time it seams to spread faster then others. I found an id guide and wonder if it might be chryscophte not sure but I attached a pic from the guide. Any help with id would be great. I can try and get different pics if needed. Thanks for the help.

It doesn’t look like dinoflagellates to me. Are the cells moving under microscope? If not, it’s probably something else. Maybe chrysoprases?

 

[ScottB]

I have been battling this brown slime for a while. It never seems to go away at night. Easy to pull out with a turkey baster but is back the next day. Seams to love living on dead spots on sps. I am pretty sure it kills the sps it lands on To create its home. Some time it seams to spread faster then others. I found an id guide and wonder if it might be chryscophte not sure but I attached a pic from the guide. Any help with id would be great. I can try and get different pics if needed. Thanks for the help.

It does look like chrysophytes. Also called golden algae. Questions:
Is the stuff gelatinous goo that kind of retains its shape even when removed from water?
Are the cells motionless?
What magnification is that.. 400X or 1200X ?

I beat them in this thread:

Symbiodinium. Got any treatment ideas?

While it looks kinda similar to ostreopsis in the tank, it is very different under the scope. They are VERY small and completely motionless. They are easily basted or siphoned away but return the next day. They don't stick to coral flesh, but do stick to everything else. I FEEL like they are...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[ScottB]

po4 : 0.30
something is not working here... and no, increasing po4 (from 0.02 to 0.30) doesn't make any change to LC Amphids they are still here and growing

That is a pretty high level of PO4.
Do you have nitrates?
Are you dosing silicates yet?