Metal halide-lit tank with a dino problem?

[Gregg @ ADP]

Does such a thing even exist?

I have a client with an old Outer Orbit 2x150w HQI halide and 4 39w T-5s. Because my brain function is not what it once was (if it was ever even was to begin with), I just today realized that I have never seen a Dino outbreak in that tank in over 20 years.

It had some for a few days after I added some rock from a tank that did have some Dino’s, but was gone within a week.

Does anybody have proof of dinos going crazy under MH?

 

[ChrisRD]

I can't recall ever having much of a Dino issue under halides, but back then I was using real live rock (mostly Fiji) which I'd guess was more the reason.

I've had them under LEDs but I think it has more to do with the lack of biodiversity and more available real estate of dry rock.

Not sure that helps...but I doubt it's the halides.

 

[rtparty]

Dinos, cyano, and other slimes galore under halides. Type of light over the tank makes no difference. It’s about biome and lack of nutrients

 

[Gregg @ ADP]

But that’s the thing…I’ve got a few tanks that consistently battle Dino’s. All were set up with uncured Fiji, supplemented over the years with Tampa Bay or Gulf live rock, refugiums, etc. Most have been very low nutrient systems with typically <20 NO3 and <0.05 PO4.

I thought for sure that adding maricultured rock would add the micro flora/fauna to eliminate them, started running higher NO3 and PO4 levels than before, but they persisted.

I realize it’s probably post hoc ergo propter hoc. But…the halide tank w/no dinos has been going for 25 years. I can’t imagine it has more biodiversity than the other tanks. But…no dinos.