N03 & P04 levels raising while fighting Dinoflagellates, when to start water changes again?

[Orion9]

Hello,
I'm seeking help with what I think might be Coolia Dinoflagellates. I stopped water changes about 2 months ago and began dosing vinegar, this was after adding 85w of UV to the return lines. I'm concerned about NO3 and PO4 levels and unsure if I should start water changes again to reduce levels, or move on to silica dosing.

NO3 = 47.2 Hanna
PO4 = .57 Hanna

Thanks

 

[Formulator]

What is your vinegar dosing program? Are you gradually increasing the daily dose? If done right, the carbon dosing should bring those levels down without water changes. That said, I’d say its about time for a water change now. I wouldn’t let your phosphate get any higher or you will start browning out your SPS, if that hasn’t started already. You are also inviting things like hair algae to take over the open real estate as soon as the dinos die.

 

[Orion9]

Thanks for the suggestions. My SPS do appear unhappy so I completed a 35gallon water change a few hours ago. I'm dosing 155ml of vinegar into a 265 gallon system but need to devote more time to testing and adjusting the dose. I plan to start silica dosing soon as well.

 

[Dburr1014]

Water changes give dinos more fuel. Like putting out a fire with gasoline.

Each Dino has its own game plan.
Have you searched?

 

[Orion9]

I understand, that was the reason I avoided water changes until today.

I have searched and was following the recommendations I found:

Stop water changes,
Carbon dosing to reduce NO3
Silica dose to encourage other algae to thrive and eliminate dinos.

I'd appreciate any additional advice.

 

[Dburr1014]

I understand, that was the reason I avoided water changes until today.

I have searched and was following the recommendations I found:

Stop water changes,
Carbon dosing to reduce NO3
Silica dose to encourage other algae to thrive and eliminate dinos.

I'd appreciate any additional advice.

I didn't have that particular strain.
Mine went into the water column at night so I used a UV in the tank.
There is also a Facebook group on dinos as well if you didn't know. That is a resource as well.

Good luck!

 

[Orion9]

I'm still struggling to lower PO4 and N03 using vinegar dosing and seeking advice.

Current measurements:
NO3 = 46.5
PO4 = 0.67

I had been dosing 160ml per day in a 265 gallon system, I noticed thick slime algae building up and read a post suggesting starting over at a lower dose.

I stopped dosing for a few days then restarted at 60ml and have worked my way back upto 120ml. My SPS and some torches are browning out and receding. Not sure if I'm on the right path and seeking advice.
Thanks!

 

[Fishingandreefing]

I'm still struggling to lower PO4 and N03 using vinegar dosing and seeking advice.

Current measurements:
NO3 = 46.5
PO4 = 0.67

I had been dosing 160ml per day in a 265 gallon system, I noticed thick slime algae building up and read a post suggesting starting over at a lower dose.

I stopped dosing for a few days then restarted at 60ml and have worked my way back upto 120ml. My SPS and some torches are browning out and receding. Not sure if I'm on the right path and seeking advice.
Thanks!

Mine is not as bad but still high at around 30 and .30 on my 120g and currently dosing up to 75ml already and it’s been high for about 2 years just didn’t have time to mess with it. I might add vodka into the mix.

 

[PharmrJohn]

I agree with Coolia as the Variant. Those ridges across the cell are a dead giveaway. IF I'm right about this, you could try a short, three day black out period to nudge them into the water column, THEN run UV with appropriate flow for Dinos. Take a look at the following thread and see if you agree........

Dinoflagellate Identification Guide

I've had this laying around for a while. Had some recent interest, so I tweaked it a bit and am posting it. Not really about cures just ID pictures, videos, and a few short facts. Hope it can be helpful.

www.reef2reef.com