Ostreopsis Dinos?

FloridaReefer2023 · Jul 27, 2023

I purchased a cheap microscope and just wanted to verify that I have Ostreopsis Dinos? I know the photos aren‘t the best.. Background: I have been battling these jerks for months and they keep reeking havoc on my reef tank. I’ve done black outs, hydrogen peroxide, increased nitrates and phosphates, dosed beneficial bacteria (phytoplankton, Dr Tim’s waste away), copepods, siphoned them out more times than I count. Yet, they continue to come back. I’m going to try a UV sterilizer as my last ditch effort. I have a 65 gallon waterbox AIO. I would appreciate any recommendations for which UV sterilizer I should go for. I really don’t want drop a ton of money on the UV sterilizer but will consider it. Tank has been up for a year now and it’s been an absolute headache the past few months. Please help lol

Reefer Matt · Jul 27, 2023

Hard to see, but they could be. I got rid of what I think was Ostreo in two tanks. I did 3 day complete blackouts, and repeated them as required for about 4 months. I would turn the light on to feed the fish, then off again. This, on average, was three days of no light, with four days of light a week. The coral didn't seem to be bothered.
I also added a coralife turbo twist uv sterilizer to the 75 gallon, and haven't had dino since. The other tank is dino free from just the blackouts. Both tanks have been dino free for over two years now. Hope this helps, and don't give up!

FloridaReefer2023 · Jul 27, 2023

Reefer Matt said:
Hard to see, but they could be. I got rid of what I think was Ostreo in two tanks. I did 3 day complete blackouts, and repeated them as required for about 4 months. I would turn the light on to feed the fish, then off again. This, on average, was three days of no light, with four days of light a week. The coral didn't seem to be bothered.
I also added a coralife turbo twist uv sterilizer to the 75 gallon, and haven't had dino since. The other tank is dino free from just the blackouts. Both tanks have been dino free for over two years now. Hope this helps, and don't give up!

Thanks for the response, Matt. I have done a total of 3 black outs. It always knocks them back quite a bit but in a day or two they start taking over. Do you know if that UV sterilizer is compatible with an AIO tank? Thanks!

Reefer Matt · Jul 27, 2023

FloridaReefer2023 said:
Thanks for the response, Matt. I have done a total of 3 black outs. It always knocks them back quite a bit but in a day or two they start taking over. Do you know if that UV sterilizer is compatible with an AIO tank? Thanks!

It requires a separate pump, tubing, and return nozzle, but it will probably fit somewhere. They make three sizes, and the smallest one might work. Getting the right size pump is important to have the proper water flow through it.