Dinoflagellates??????

[AzaZeL]

Need some help IDing. I think it is but I hope I'm told different.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36805116@N05/3393140702/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36805116@N05/3392328383/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36805116@N05/3393139610/

Thanks for the help.

-Az

[returnofsid]

Sure looks like it!! Here's an almost sure way to tell. After lights have been out all night, does it appear to be gone in the morning? Then, does it seem to come back after lights have been on for awhile? If so, it's Dino. Here's a good link for some information about it.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-11/rhf/index.php

[AzaZeL]

Thanks sid. I will try the lights out trick. The lights generally come on after I've already left the house but I will watch it and see. I will post back.

-Az

[AzaZeL]

The lights definitely stunted the growth. I bought a UV sterlizer, which is what my LFS suggested instead of raising the PH as the levels suggested walk a fine line between death of the nastiness and death of the tank. We'll see how that works. You should see that little setup on my 12g, LOL. It is a piece of work.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Good luck with the battle. I had them in my 30g tank a few years back. Make sure you're using ro/di and run some GFO, skim heavily and do 20% weekly water changes. Syphon up as much as you can during water changes. Cut back on feeding as well.

[runningstix]

I thought that water changes basically fueled them, providing them with new nutrients to thrive off. (?)