Possible Dinos, microscope and UV recommendations

[ZombieEngineer]

I have been struggling to get my Nitrates above 0.00 for months. Even with tripling feeding to 100 small pellets and about 1.5 cubes of frozen a day in my 65, it hasn't budged. I previously used a Red sea test kei, but now use the Hanna HR nitrate and ULR phosphate and same results.

65 gallon mixed reef set up 4 years ago using half dry rock and half 10+ year old mature live rock from a previous tank.

Parameters
Salinity 35.8 ppt
pH 8.45 - 8.6
NO3 0.00 ppm
PO4 11ppb phosphorous, 0.03ppm phosphate
KH 9.10
Ca 466
Mg 1509 (accidental overdose. Working in bringing down)

No visible algae
Refugium with cheato previously running 18 hour photo period. Reduced today to 8 hour.
Skimmer set between wet and dry skim

I do not own a microscope and could use some recommendations. A super cheap one is preferred, but since I have a 9 month old who may someday use it, if there is a substantial difference if I got one for say $200, I might be willing to spend a bit more.

I also could use some advice on a good UV unit that will work for my 65 gallon tank if it ends up being dinos. I do have a 9W green killing machine that is like 12 years old at this point, but I really doubt that would be of any use here.

 

[ZombieEngineer]

Pictures

 

[RIC13]

I’ve had a few run ins with dinos. In each instance I’ve been able to fix it by increasing my nitrates. First I start with feeding heavier. If that doesn’t work, then I turn off my skimmer (I don’t run a fuge. Just never set it up.). And when all else fails, I add Seachem Flourish Nitrogen. I believe you are removing too much by using both a fuge and skimmer. Some day you may be able to use both but not while you are battling dinos.

 

[saltyhog]

This is the scope I use and it does a good job.

I would urge you to get the scope if you can afford it. They are very useful tools that I think every reefer should have.

Your pictures do look suggestive of dinos but there are definitely other possibilities. They are common in low nutrient situations but not "caused" by low NO3 or PO4 directly. I have not seen success often with just elevating nutrient levels although that is definitely part of what you need to do to help get rid of them and keep them from returning.

 

[ZombieEngineer]

I picked up a green killing machine 24W and the microscope you linked because it's the only setup that would arrive today and start the battle.

I have NeoNitrate on order arriving Tuesday to help get my Nitrates up.

I also got some SpongeExcel on order to elevate silicate and force a diatom bloom.


Can someone ID this microscope pic? I think it's osteo, but not 100% sure.

Does anyone know what level of silica I need to force a diatom bloom and rate of dosing?

 

[Idech]

I’m thinking of getting the same microscope. How did you take the pictures, did you buy a special lense ?

 

[ZombieEngineer]

I’m thinking of getting the same microscope. How did you take the pictures, did you buy a special lense ?

I held my phone camera where my eye would normally be.