Hello reefers. This is my first tank and I seem to be having a problem with hair algae or Dino’s. Does anyone have suggestions?
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@Zombie1908
221d
Post parameters
@JediReef
221d
@Zombie1908
221d
We need to see nitrates and phosphates. Algae and Dino’s can show up if either are bottomed out
@JediReef
221d
I just tested Nitrates and they are showing 0. I don’t have a phosphate test atm
@Zombie1908
221d
Running nitrates at zero leads to dinos nearly every time. If you turn your lights off and the dinos appear to leave the sand bed, and come back when the lights turn back on that indicates it’s definitely dinos. You can dose sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate, but I’d recommend getting fish and feeding heavier. But you’ll also have to make sure you are raising your phosphate levels at the same time. You can do a black out for 2-3 days as well but this will piss of the rest of the tank.
@JediReef
221d
Thank you. Will turning my protein skimmer of for a bit help raise the nitrates as well?
@Zombie1908
221d
Yes, I would leave the skimmer off and for a long time too. It cleans the dissolved organic compounds from the water and that’s what bacteria nitrify into beneficial nitrates. I have a 6 month 10 gallon tank since March I haven’t run a skimmer in and it’s doing well having never dealt with dino. I run my tank pretty dirty, aiming to keep nitrates above 10 and phosphates at .1 ppm. This will prevent most of the uglies in the hobby.
@vegatron
214d
It’s a bit odd for your nitrates to be at 0. You could try dosing nitrates to get them between 5-15 ppm and copepods will wipe out dinos.
@IllustriousBeach19
221d
Yo yoyour zoas look sick. I’m fighting the same algae too lol. How long yoyou got lights on?
@JediReef
221d
Thank you. I was running them 12 hours but going to switch to 8 I think.
@billy
221d
Skimmer off until nitrates is great advice. Also adding copepods helps fight Dino’s and improves overall tank diversity
@PatricksCorals
220d
I do my best on parameters but LOVE my cleaning crew!
@DrJube
219d
I am continuing to go through this phase as well and want to emphasize patience and making small changes at a time. I ended up adding bit more cleaner crew and let ugly phase be rite of passage. Added copepod for diversity and kept up with water changes. Algae means you have good environment for coral growth and you want to tip the balance to coral by having good cleanup crew and controlling amount you feed. I kept my protein skimmer going and fed bit more heavier since I love seeing my fishes eat lol After reviewing your tank def get cleanup crew, snails and hermit crabs. I see that you only have peppermint shrimp.
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Here is a better picture
LPS looking sick - I’m a new reefer and wanting to get some, what would you reccomend and how to keep