Microscope ID help

[jonelder68]

Hopefully these are good enough pictures? Waiting on the phone mount to show up. No slides either so just using glass from a picture frame

Surface scum samples

Sample from right at sand bed where mostly it’s growing

^^^ some type of worm?

Here’s the current sand bed

Any ideas? Assuming Dino’s? Though I’ve kept nutrients present. Usually NO3 10-15ppm and PO4 .12 I’ve already had two waves of Dino’s in the past from nutrients crashing. This time it seems different and really only on the sand and a surface scum

 

[Miami Reef]

I’m going to say Prorocentrum dinos

 

[jonelder68]

Assuming the brownish/golden are Dino’s?

What are these long skinny things?

 

[jonelder68]

Bump

 

[Troylee]

@taricha is the best on identities…

 

[jonelder68]

@taricha is the best on identities…

Thank you sir. Waiting to get a confirmation on what type before I drop the coin on a high end UV unit vs my baby sicce 13w one. @Miami Reef is suppose to send me some rock rubble to add to the tank along with silicate to dose. Everything I’ve tried so far isn’t effective

 

[CHSUB]

Usually NO3 10-15ppm and PO4 .12

Everything I’ve tried so far isn’t effective

What ever it is, obviously algae, your nutrients are providing plenty to consume…like Thanksgiving, more than enough to eat. Regardless removing it and it’s gone…

 

[Miami Reef]

Thank you sir. Waiting to get a confirmation on what type before I drop the coin on a high end UV unit vs my baby sicce 13w one. @Miami Reef is suppose to send me some rock rubble to add to the tank along with silicate to dose. Everything I’ve tried so far isn’t effective

Taricha hasn’t been active in a while. Keep the current UV and try the silicate + nutrient dosing.

If it doesn’t help in a few weeks, then you can get a bigger UV and try a blackout to encourage those Dinos to release. I think the silicate + my live rock will help.

 

[jonelder68]

Taricha hasn’t been active in a while. Keep the current UV and try the silicate + nutrient dosing.

If it doesn’t help in a few weeks, then you can get a bigger UV and try a blackout to encourage those Dinos to release. I think the silicate + my live rock will help.

Sounds like a plan boss man

 

[Miami Reef]

Use extra activated carbon to remove any toxic byproducts from the Dinos.

 

[jonelder68]

Use extra activated carbon to remove any toxic byproducts from the Dinos.

Been running the marineland magnum with carbon. But I’m just going to place a bag in the sump between skimmer and return chamber. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[jonelder68]

@Miami Reef what’s your thoughts on WC with Dino’s? The literature says no WC with Dino’s. But I’m dosing trace elements etc/chaetogro anyways so I’m confused on how WC fuel Dino’s? I only ask because it’s WC week this week.

 

[Miami Reef]

@Miami Reef what’s your thoughts on WC with Dino’s? The literature says no WC with Dino’s. But I’m dosing trace elements etc/chaetogro anyways so I’m confused on how WC fuel Dino’s? I only ask because it’s WC week this week.

Contrary to popular belief, water changes aren’t effective for supplying trace elements. In order to get the “full dose” the water supplies, you’d need 100% changes. 15-20% a week is nothing and insignificant.

You’ll add much more trace elements from foods.

 

[Troylee]

Contrary to popular belief, water changes aren’t effective for supplying trace elements. In order to get the “full dose” the water supplies, you’d need 100% changes. 15-20% a week is nothing and insignificant.

You’ll add much more trace elements from foods.

Trace elements don’t feed Dino’s aminos do.. water changes won’t hurt unless it’s a mix with added aminos etc.

 

[Miami Reef]

Trace elements don’t feed Dino’s aminos do.. water changes won’t hurt unless it’s a mix with added aminos etc.

Agreed. I’m just saying the advice to stop water changes because they add significant trace elements is not likely to occur in practice.

 

[jonelder68]

That’s my understanding and found the statements insane. If anything you’re catching some free floating Dino’s and removing them. Only a plus doing WC in my opinion.

 

[jonelder68]

Trace elements don’t feed Dino’s aminos do.. water changes won’t hurt unless it’s a mix with added aminos etc.

I use tropic marine pro so pretty sure no aminos of any sorts?

 

[GSPClown94]

Assuming the brownish/golden are Dino’s?

What are these long skinny things?

Probably some kind of diatom

 

[MeganV]

@jonelder68 I believe these are small cell amphididiums. I have had them....more than I haven't, in my last two systems. They're a B**ch with a capital B. The best course of treatment is balancing your nitrogen to phosphorus and dosing sodium silicate to create a diatom bloom to our compete. Third, adding biodiversity can also help. Thus could be live photo, or just inoculating your tank with aged media from established systems.

To answer your question about water changes - in my experience they can help bitchy corals if they're struggling from the toxins (which are mild compared to other types, but can cause issues none the less, my nassarius were acting drunk, for instance.) The key is to make sure you don't complicate a low nutrient situation, which may mean dosing.


I'm going to attach the Mack's Reef "Dealing with Dinos" file. I'd encourage you to join the Facebook group. We've got a few experts who can confirm your diagnosis and give you suggestions. There is a lot of garbage information out there about dinos (e.g. blackouts.)

 

[CHSUB]

dosing sodium silicate to create a diatom bloom to our compete

Dinoflagellates prey on many organisms including diatoms, so not a great idea…

There is a lot of garbage information out there about dinos

Imo, including Mack’s Reef!