ID help

Discussion in 'Algae' started by mdbostwick, May 31, 2015.

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  1. mdbostwick

    mdbostwick Vlamingii Tang

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    I really hope this isn't what i think it is but i don't want to influence anyone else's ID thoughts. It is brown and stringy looking and also seems like it attaches to any other algae in the tank, film algae and a little hair algae, and also to the little annoying tube snails snot strings. The biggest problem is it is getting caught on my sps.

    I brushed this stuff off of everything before i did a waterchange and removed as much as i could, by the time i finished my WC it was all over the place again.

    Any help is appreciated


    [​IMG]
     
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  3. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

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    Looks like Dino's.What is your ph,mag level?
     
  4. mdbostwick

    mdbostwick Vlamingii Tang

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    uggh.....

    pH 8.4
    Mg 1350
     
  5. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

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    Take a pic of it before you disturb it again.Don't panic.I've won this battle before.Start bringing your mag up slowly if you can.(no more then 1500 is needed ime).Test for dramatic swings in ph .
    Test Alk. and cal. of course.It could very well be cyano/calitthrix as its hard to sometimes determine without a microscope..
    Increase flow a little if possible.
     
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  6. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    I agree with Vinny (again).

    Stop dosing any amino acids, cut back on the roids.

    Up mag/100 ppm per day until you hit Vinny's goal.

    Improve pH above 8 all times.

    Manual removal as often as you can tolerate. Might have to do a light modification.

    I just beat Dino AGAIN, it gets easier. Every time I dose amino acids it develops.
     
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  7. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

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    Also this isn't talked about much but I am a firm believer in cleaning the claws THOROUGHLY before and after sticking them in the tank.
     
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  9. mdbostwick

    mdbostwick Vlamingii Tang

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    Will do on the Mag.

    pH is not swinging. Now on the reefangel with the probe i can see graphs and it never swings more than .1 throughout the day and is very consistent at the 8.4 reading for at least 6 months.

    I will increase my return and my wavemakers, which are almost maxed anyway, to see how this might effect it.

    My intensity hasn't changed on lighting for quite a while and i feel it is on the lower end right now. Should i reduce my photoperiod? I have been struggling with coral growth and color and my conclusion always comes back to lighting. I know more is not always better. Is more intense for a shorter photoperiod better or the opposite? I know there are not going to be any facts around this but I would like to hear your and Vinny and any other more experienced reefers have experience and opinions.

    Any best practice on this? Especially on soap? I usually only rinse them beforehand so i don't have soap residue on them.

    I really appreciate your help so far.
     
  10. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

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    I use dawn liquid or a good bar soap.:)
    IME It is never a good idea to use a higher intensity.How long is your photoperiod?
     
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  11. mdbostwick

    mdbostwick Vlamingii Tang

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    photoperiod is 10 hours. The LEDs are probably at 2w with no lenses, not enough height off the water for lenses. So the color and growth seems to suffer.
     
  12. zesty

    zesty Sailfin Tang

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    The only other thing I see not mentioned is stopping water changes? Is that still a viable defense? I know things can change quickly and seeing how they came back right away after a water change seems to hint to that might be of some help.

    I've been there... no fun, but you'll make it.
     
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