Declaring WAR on my Aquarium

Clown · #1 08-14-2006, 03:53 PM

Does This Algae Grow Realy Fast And Long Like a hair algae?
and If You Clean It Grows Back In A Few Hours?
If So Try Useing Filtered Water(if your useing tap water), And Problem Will Go Away
...
Or At Least it did for me

Psyire · #2 08-15-2006, 06:03 AM

Thanks for the encouragement and tips.

I noticed today that the brown plague was worse on the two sides of my tank compared to the middle. (the middle is a newer bulb, only a month old) So what I did is change all three bulbs to new Reeflux 12K bulbs that I just recieved. We'll see what kind of change that makes tomorrow.

I also plan to post pictures of what this infestation looks like. It's not near as bad as some of the pictures I've seen posted on the 'net, but it's bad enough that it needs some serious attention.

Today I ordered some necessary firepower and commando tools. (filter media & test kits)

I've also started with increasing my skimming and upping my ozone (a hair)

Tomorrow I'll be doing a full test on my water and a full filter change on my RO/DI. (then I will start making new water for a water change)

I'm attempting to make 'slow' changes to the system, however I've lost nearly all my SPS so I'm not that worried anymore... fish are fairly tolerant, as are softies and LPS.

I'm going to go to bed tonight praying that a battle between the dino's and the aptasia breaks out, with both sides eradicating each other... however unlikely that is.

Ruth: Thanks for the offers, I'll be in touch. (PM)

Delph: I'm definately re-thinking my lighting schedule as we speak, but I'm curious as to what dino change will happen due to my bulb changes)

Clown: Definately not Hair Algae... I've seen a lot of that stuff before. (not so much in my tank, but others)

christyf5 · #3 08-15-2006, 06:09 PM

Good luck, I used your battle plan in my Dino Battle of 2004-05 (also included increased alkalinity, increased flow, increased water changes, turkey basting, siphoning, replacement of aragonite sand with oolitic, addition of chemipure, you name it I tried it). Damned things stuck around for a year. At the height of the evilness I was putting the tank in complete darkness with a blanket overtop for 2 days. They still came back. Eventually I ripped out the sandbed and went barebottom, powerwashed all the rock and restarted the tank. Pretty drastic move but I've been dinoflagellate free for over a year now and am glad I did it

reeferaddict · #4 08-15-2006, 06:32 PM

Yeah I think I'd just get a rope and chair if I got Dinos at this point... friggin' hair algae was enough for me thank you!

Psyire · #5 08-19-2006, 07:26 PM

So after increasing skimming, changing carbon, and rowaphos, things look a little better. I would say about 20% better than they were at the beginning of the week. I'm patiently waiting my test kit for Silicate so that I can run some tests on my tank water and my RO water.

I'm hopeing to be able to pinpoint the exact nutrient problem I have.

Psyire · #6 08-21-2006, 06:47 PM

Recieved my Silicate test kit today and was hoping for some answers.

Unfortunately I didn't get many, other than Silicate is not the problem. Both my RO/DI water and my tank water readings are 0.

I am happy though that my Silica based sandbed is not leeching a lot into the water. (Black Tahiti Moon Sand)

Beverly · #7 08-21-2006, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psyire

I'm hopeing to be able to pinpoint the exact nutrient problem I have.

I don't think you will be able to measure the nutrients that are causing your dinos as the dinos are utiltizing them as quickly as they are produced/released in your tank. That said, though, it's great that you are testing your source water for as many things as possible to reduce the chances of introducing more nutrients from water changes and top ups.

BTW, how are the dinos today, and what steps other than the ones you've already outlined have you taken to reduce the dinos?

Wishing you luck in your battle

Psyire · #8 08-21-2006, 10:33 PM

Pictures I just took:

I've pretty much stuck to my plan so far. My next step is a few water changes as I have eliminated silicate in my RO/DI as a problem. (I didn't want to add anymore silicate if I was in the first place)

My Refugium needs a good cleaning as well... there is a bit of a detritus build up happening there.