How do we increase biodiversity?

[Madonia]

What are methods you are using to help increase biodiversity in your reef? All suggestions are appreciated.

I am trying to fight dinos and from what I’ve read- increasing biodiversity is key.

Hopefully this opens some good discussions

 

[SMSREEF]

I started with dry rock and dead sand and had issues too. Increasing the number of competing organisms helped me defeat my chrysophyte problem (along with dosing nitrate and phosphate).

Added aquaculture live rock and live sand (not the stuff in a bag) with all the critters, feather dusters, worms and bacteria that comes with it.

Added collected snails, clam, hermits macroalgae and mud from the sea grass beds in Miami and Keys.

dosed a couple bottles of copepod

 

[Madonia]

I started with dry rock and dead sand and had issues too. Increasing the number of competing organisms helped me defeat my chrysophyte problem (along with dosing nitrate and phosphate).

Added aquaculture live rock and live sand (not the stuff in a bag) with all the critters, feather dusters, worms and bacteria that comes with it.

Added collected snails, clam, hermits macroalgae and mud from the sea grass beds in Miami and Keys.

dosed a couple bottles of copepod

I live on Long Island. Should I take a trip to the beach tomorrow to get a bit of sand and try to find some critters? Or bad idea?? Lol

 

[SMSREEF]

I live on Long Island. Should I take a trip to the beach tomorrow to get a bit of sand and try to find some critters? Or bad idea?? Lol

If the water was warm enough to swim out to the sea grass beds, I would say go for it.
But it was cold in the water down here last weekend, I can only imagine how cold it is up there in the water.

 

[Thereefdoc]

I live on Long Island. Should I take a trip to the beach tomorrow to get a bit of sand and try to find some critters? Or bad idea?? Lol

Hi! I live on LI as well. I definitely wouldn’t add anything from LI to my tank. I feel like it’s a completely different environment than a reef tank plus, it’s freezing. You can buy a nice sized piece of live rock from one of the LFS. Also, different types of macro algae, different bottled bacteria, some used sand or filter media will all add the biodiversity you’re looking for.

 

[sdreef]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/e...ies-in-my-tanks-updated-with-new-data.684209/

I found this thread helpful. A method to add some microbiologic diversity to the system, and I like that at least there is some data presented.

 

[Jeffo.it]

Hi! I live on LI as well. I definitely wouldn’t add anything from LI to my tank. I feel like it’s a completely different environment than a reef tank plus, it’s freezing. You can buy a nice sized piece of live rock from one of the LFS. Also, different types of macro algae, different bottled bacteria, some used sand or filter media will all add the biodiversity you’re looking for.

I don't know in USA, but here in Italy live rocks come from various "tropical" areas (very different organisms mixed together) and sometime both the seawater or the rocks have Mediterranean organisms (mainly generalistic Worms and snails as well as copepodi species), suggesting a possible direct exchange with NSW or environment. In our case, taking some biodiversity from intertidal areas is not the end of our world IMHO.

 

[just4plaay]

I won the war on Dino last month after fighting for two months. I Increased nitrate to 10 and phosphate to .05. Dosed Dino X until Dino started receding. As soon as it started receding I dosed bacteria (vibrant, Fritz turbo Start, and tims), started to add Copepods weekly, and fed phyto every other day. My belief is that whole dino are toxic to pods at least they eat the dino before dying. I culture them and simply out competed the dino that was already hurt by dino x. Today my tank is Dino free (though I have a little hair algae now) and my pod population is incredible.

Good luck with your battle! Watch those nutrients closely.

 

[Reefahholic]

Bottled bacteria, live sand that doesn’t contain Vermetid’s (gotta be very selective about where you get it), sponge, pods, etc.

 

[samnaz]

Gulf live rock

 

[Dr. Jim]

I purposely bought live rock from 2 different FL vendors in hopes of getting differing biodiversity: KP (Atlantic; Keys) and LiveRockNReef (Gulf). There was definitely a difference in the visible life forms; no way no know about the microscopic.
(Much more life on the LRNR; very little on the KP but nicer shaped rocks.)

 

[One Reefing Boi]

I purposely bought live rock from 2 different FL vendors in hopes of getting differing biodiversity: KP (Atlantic; Keys) and LiveRockNReef (Gulf). There was definitely a difference in the visible life forms; no way no know about the microscopic.
(Much more life on the LRNR; very little on the KP but nicer shaped rocks.)

Which was better in your opinion?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I'm not sure I'd agree that biodiversity is an answer to dinos.

I think having a competitor that can outcompete it is a good way to help deal with them, and I think most tanks have these already as long as they have sufficient nutrients to grow.

 

[Madonia]

I'm not sure I'd agree that biodiversity is an answer to dinos.

I think having a competitor that can outcompete it is a good way to help deal with them, and I think most tanks have these already as long as they have sufficient nutrients to grow.

I’m really struggling with dinos randy. The sand bed looks horrible. Can you point me in the right direction with a resource that gives straightforward instructions? I’m pretty lost with all of the advice- as much of it is contradicting

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I’m really struggling with dinos randy. The sand bed looks horrible. Can you point me in the right direction with a resource that gives straightforward instructions? I’m pretty lost with all of the advice- as much of it is contradicting

There is no foolproof answer.

Have you measured nutrients to be sure they are not too low? Lack of growing organisms to outcompete the dinos is one of the biggest reasons to be sure nutrients are not too low, even before you have dinos.

 

[Reef.]

I’m really struggling with dinos randy. The sand bed looks horrible. Can you point me in the right direction with a resource that gives straightforward instructions? I’m pretty lost with all of the advice- as much of it is contradicting

read a few threads where people claim Dinox is amazing.

 

[Madonia]

There is no foolproof answer.

Have you measured nutrients to be sure they are not too low? Lack of growing organisms to outcompete the dinos is one of the biggest reasons to be sure nutrients are not too low, even before you have dinos.

They were very low. I am raising them now. Phosphate are 0.05, nitrate are 3....they both essentially hit 0 for a short amount of time about 1.5 weeks ago.

 

[ReefEco]

Regarding adding biodiversity, I've always started my tanks with critter kits from IPSF.com (Indo-Pacific Sea Farms). They have the standard $99 special and you get tons of stuff from the standard pods and snails, to bristle worms, spaghetti worms, and even mini-brittle stars. Really great stuff to add, especially when starting with dry rock as I think most do nowadays. Almost all of it is aquacultured too - so a bonus there.

 

[Reefahholic]

Gulf live rock

I’m not sure if your talking about the Company gulf live rock (your probably not). Although I agree that you can get some very diverse rock from the gulf, but the rock I received from https://gulfliverock.com/ was the most dense and unnaturally shaped rock I’ve ever worked with. Not porous at all. So if anybody is looking for rock, avoid this company. They would not refund my money.

Look at https://www.kpaquatics.com/product-...05tx0jmnqm7VDnZ0lc_yPVHPLiaGNl2EaApFJEALw_wcB

Or .....

Live Rock - Tampa Bay Saltwater Aquacultured Live Rock - Aquaculturing Process

Both of these companies sell quality rock (shipped in water) that’s filled with life. Highly recommend!

 

[Reefahholic]

Tanks can develop bad bacteria over time and become depleted of good bacteria. It is important to dose back the good bacteria to out compete the bad.

Two products I know that work from experience are Dr. Tim’s Waste Away and Eco Balance.

Also, in my experience, Dino’s try to pop up when N&P bottom out or the ratio is way off. I’ve never had them pop up with enough nutrients in tank.

Cheers!