Dinoflagellates

[crystalreef]

What to do when the dreaded Dinoflagellates arrive?

How have people who have them or once had them got rid of the problem?

[Mike]

I've had them. I think they're quite common. As with other algaes, they are generally a result of excess nutrients in the system. When I had them I tried large water changes, red slime remover (this does nothing to them - works well with cyano, but messes up the skimmer, so is counter-productive with dinoflagellates, in my experience) syphoning them, etc. I eventually tried the "blackout method" as described on Reef Central. I think the best way to get rid of them / avoid them is to have good quality water - RO or RO/DI going into your tank, not over feeding, using a good skimmer, and I believe a refugium with macro algae is an excellent method of nutrient export. It seems to me that dinoflagellates are often common in new tanks, and in some cases may be one of the "algae cycles" that people just have to go through. Hope that helps!

Mike

[Mckitrick]

Once you've got it, do lots of water changes and siphon them out as best you can when doing so.
As Mike said forget about red slime remover - it does nothing.
I recall reading on reef central that someone had good luck getting rid of them by adding a large refugium with lots of macro algae.

They're a serious pain in the butt but they *can* be defeated.

[crystalreef]

Thanks Paul I hope you are right, they are a pain.

[afss]

I think from what i have seen its typically excess nutrients. Maybe have your RO source tested?

Scott