Dino algae

[kkiel02]

History- moved from San Marcos to new braunfels two weeks ago and my 65 gallon had what I thought was a diatom outbreak. Move went well only lost one coral but more on that later. Went to Belize for a week with my mom on tank sitting. Came back and had a small amount of "diatoms". Looked over the reefcleaners algae guide and found out I have the dreaded dino algae. I have read the usual stuff at reefcentral like no lights for three days, making sure the levels are correct.
I am only using actinics at this point (2days) to see if that would help. This stuff still sea to be spreading though. Nitrites, nitrates and ammonia all checked 0. Ph is 8.4(also read raising ph to 8.5 helped) anyone else have any other ideas as I would like to stomp this out before it spreads like it was before the move.

Kevin

[JimD]

That stuff is nasty! I had it a few years ago and it took forever to get rid of... What I did was, raise the Ph to 8.6 via kalkwasser drip and raise Alk to 12dkh with the Alkalinity half of B-Ionic along with small water changes every other day or so. Its critical to closely monitor your levels if you choose this route... Took several months to go away but it finally did... Good luck!

[kkiel02]

Thanks for the quick reply. The move really set it back some so I will raise the ph and alk to see what happens. I will also do the three days of darkness as a bonus. Just glad to hear someone beat this as many of the stories online ended up with tearing down tanks.

[recoiljpr]

Use activated Carbon as well if your not already, that is supposed to help. Since you are in New Braunfels I purchased a carbon reactor the other day that I should be getting in the next few days (Either Saturday or Monday). It can be a HOB or in sump placement. If you'd like to borrow it when I get it in, let me know and you are welcome to use it for a while to see if it would help. I also have one of those siphons you attach to a sink that your more then welcome to borrow, as siphoning out as much as you can is always a good idea.

Shoot me a PM if you need anything.

[Crazyeyes]

I would turn off the actinics and do water changes daily. What the other people are telling you, are very good suggestions. Good luck

[kkiel02]

Well after a water change and about 4 days without much light it has not come back knock on wood. I noticed my ph had dropped some so got that back to 8.4. I had a bad to filter and a 12 hour light cycle that probably helped it grow quickly. I changed my filters and cut the lights back to 10 hours.