I have this problem…

[Mata_01]

So I have this 20 gallon tank for about tree months and has been good for the two first months, but in the last month Dinos start to appear, first just little amounts and now a considerable amount, they are in the rock, sand and some pieces in corals, ( these I try to take them out blowing them with some water.
The current water parameters are the following:
NO3- 20/50
Kh-4,5
Phosphates-0,37
Salinity- 1026

In one week the water paremeters went from:
No3-5/10
Kh-9,3
Phosphates-0,18
Salinity-1026/1027

To the current ones

I have been adding bacto blend and some media to lower the phosphates that stays in the sump

For some reason the Dino’s keep growing and doesn’t show any signs of slowing, I did not change the water because the local fish shop guy sad that new water feeds the Dino’s and sad to not change the water.
I am starting to get worryied

Here are some photos:

 

[Lavey29]

How do you know its dinos? Did you ID it with a cheap microscope? Picture is not very clear but looks like diatoms not dinos. Diatoms are normal and go away in a few weeks.

 

[Mata_01]

How do you know its dinos? Did you ID it with a cheap microscope?

Yes and it looks a lot like Dino’s, even with the trapped air bubbles

 

[Mata_01]

Here’s another photo

 

[twentyleagues]

White light pic may help. What @Lavey29 said it could be Diatoms.

NM I think you may be right.
Water changes usually lower the nitrates and phosphates too low and that imbalance will drive dinos. I dont think a wc would hurt.

 

[mmorrison55]

UV sterilizer

BRS lays out a good plan of attack if the UV doesn’t work

The Dreaded Dinos! What To Do About Dinoflagellates

Dinos or dinoflagellates tend to look more like bubbly snot as opposed to slimy cyanobacteria which is often confused to be the same thing. Depending on the exact type you have, they often reduce or disappear at night and then come back when the lights turn on. They are unsightly, compete with...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Lavey29]

I would start with reducing light to 6 hours with blue and uv only no white. Add couple jars of pods. Weekly water changes with siphon removal. Dose PNS probio which is a natural heterotrophic bacteria that eliminates organic waste. Maintain good parameters and nutrients levels.

 

[Mata_01]

Here’s in white ligths

 

[Lavey29]

https://www.reef2reef.com/attachments/dinoflagellateid12_12_2019-pdf.1324729/

 

[Mata_01]

UV sterilizer

I don’t have that kind of money right now

 

[Lavey29]

Here’s in white ligths

Get a conch and some tongan nacarius snails to stir that sand