Eliminating harmful and ugly dinoflagellates remains one of the most common—and challenging—tasks for the marine aquarist. Not only can marine aquarium systems be far less chemically stable than the natural reef environment, but they are also subject to disturbances that can occur following bouts of overfeeding, decay associated with animal deaths, chemical water treatments/medications, increases of bioload, and so on. Many of these problems are directly associated with excessive nutrient concentrations. The waters that support coral reefs are typically nutrient-poor, which is exactly why healthy reefs are typically free from smothering by benthic forms of microalgae. On the contrary, closed aquarium systems can quickly accumulate these nutrients, leading to unsightly algae blooms and even the poor health and death of aquarium inhabitants. It is therefore imperative that some means be taken to mitigate the inevitable decline of water quality.
Surely, large and frequent water changes are a highly effective way to address these issues in the short term. However, as they are costly and time consuming, they are a less than ideal long-term solution. Chemical filtration, while helpful, is similarly expensive and can have the unintended consequence of removing beneficial substances. Algaecides are almost universally frowned upon in the aquarium community (and rightfully so) as they can eliminate beneficial flora as well as harm (particularly in reef aquaria) some delicate invertebrate species.
Fortunately, many hobbyists have begun to experience considerable success taking a more natural and decidedly gentler approach—adding live, beneficial microalgal products to their aquarium systems. In addition to providing important nutritional supplementation to many aquarium species, this method safely robs undesirable algae species of excess nutrients as they build up. Notably, this tactic has been reported to eliminate some of the most loathed forms of nuisance dinoflagellates.
[TankIssue]
Know your Enemy (Dinoflagellates)
The order Dinoflagellata is quite ancient and diverse. It is worth noting that not all of its members are harmful in the aquarium; indeed, dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium (referred to as the zooxanthellae) are well-known for their important mutualistic association with reef-building corals. Furthermore, dinoflagellates are one of the most represented groups among the marine plankton where they contribute significantly to local food webs.
The roughly 1,000 dinoflagellate species are rather difficult to classify. They are generally placed into a group of flagellated protozoa called phytoflagellates. Zoologists tend to classify phytoflagellates strictly as protozoans, whereas botanists consider them to be true algae. This confusion is understandable, given their simultaneously plant-like and animal-like characteristics. They appear to be the product of the mergence (i.e. endosymbiosis) of a primitive protozoan and a photosynthetic bacterium. This helps to explain why some types (most, in fact) are photosynthetic while a few are heterotrophic (that is, eat stuff). The heterotrophic forms are actually quite weird, and can grow rapidly in aquaria where there are high concentrations of dissolved organic compounds. Some heterotrophic varieties can even ingest solid food particles through a “mouth” that is formed from a gap at the anterior part of the body. In some cases, such “particles” include other types of dinoflagellates.
Dinoflagellates are exclusively unicellular, though there are some colonial types can form long chains. All possess a pair of flagella (one short, one long), for which they are named. The flagella project from grooves along their bodies and are used primarily for locomotion. While a few are colorless, most dinoflagellates possess yellow or brown pigments. Their bodies may be either naked or covered with a membrane or plates called theca. The theca are composed of cellulose and are sometimes heavily silicated. These tough membranes and plates serve as armor that protects the dinoflagellate from herbivores. Further protection is sometimes afforded by the production of noxious chemicals. Genera such as Gymnodinium and Gonyaulax produce especially potent toxins such as those responsible for red tides (i.e. saxitoxin). Due to their strong defenses, dinoflagellates may be completely unpalatable and duly avoided by typical aquarium algae-eaters.
Making matters worse for the aquarist, dinoflagellates are often capable of extremely high reproductive rates and adaptability. Some types can reproduce (usually via binary fission) multiple times per day. When conditions are not favorable, they are also capable releasing spore-like resting cysts that can regenerate at a much later time. This makes completely eliminating them, particularly without intensive and long-term treatment, very hard to accomplish. Some try some “cures” such as manipulating pH or alkalinity to no avail. Some try to blast it off of the rock, only to see it spread more rapidly. Some even play with fire by adding potentially harmful chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide to the aquarium water. Could it be that the best means of ridding a tank of even the most persistent dinoflagellates (such as “brown slime algae”) are actually the most natural means?
Starving Dinos for a Solution
It should seem that the best way to eradicate nuisance dinoflagellate blooms is to put a stop to the problem that allowed them to arise in the first place—excess nutrients. As mentioned earlier, the safest and surest course of action here is to increase competitive pressure on dinos by increasing the densities of beneficial algal species. The enlightened aquarist can carry out a highly effective multi-pronged attack with the use of high-end live algal products such as Ocean Magik. This product incorporates a blend of several species of algae that actually nourish phytoplanktivorous aquarium animals (such as many corals, clams, sea cucumbers, etc.) as they sequester nutrients such as ammonia, nitrate, phosphate and silicate directly from the aquarium system water.
In other words, Ocean Magik does not merely eliminate bad stuff; rather, it turns bad stuff into something very, very good. Perhaps most importantly, it does so in the most benign way possible. And, when the job is done, the flourishing algae is happily consumed by a very wide variety of aquarium creatures such as copepods (which, incidentally, put even more pressure on heterotrophic varieties of dinoflagellates by competing for organic waste products). Problem solved!
[TankIssue]
paula says
Will try it
Mohamed Hassaan says
Great
Noah says
?
Ben Martin says
Yeet
Jon Dimitri Andrianos says
Same here
Mostafa ghaly says
?
Stefan Bladen says
I have used phyto to control dino it helped
robert vice says
I’ve been dosing ocean magic for 2 months daily and I’ve never had nitrates this low
Hailey Weir says
Haileyweir46173@gmail.com
jeffreyfelter says
Great read since I’m battling them now.
Richard Rocha says
I’m letting my buddy know about this option, he been trying to rid dinos too.
jeffreyfelter says
Great read since I’m battling it right now.
Anthony says
I have been using phyto but since starting it I have been battling dynos. What else can I do?
greg.chernoff says
You should increase your dosage, attempt to clean up any dinos or diatom blooms the best you can, and give it a few weeks of “babying” the phytoplankton, until you start to see green growth on rocks and walls and sand!
frank martinez sr says
I haven’t had any problems with my refugium I do water changes are the way to be successful in this hobby
Jeremy Farmer says
Pods are awesome clean up crew, they’re tearing through the cyno in my sump
Tony Mutti says
I’ll have to try it the next time I have this issue. It makes sense.
esear14 says
great article
Josh Hiltabiddle says
No more Dino since I started using ocean magic
devon says
great article
Terrence Harrison says
Great read!!
Terrence Harrison says
Great read!! Informative!
Terrence Harrison says
Great information! Helpful for first time hobbyists!
devon says
need to try
Tim Jones says
They made my copepods explode in population when using them
art anderson says
12419 judge doucet rd
artaa1988 says
great read
James says
I ha e used this method and it does work.
Todd C Messner says
Pods are a great clean up crewt
Carl Brown says
Good read, may try this out.
Allen Fagard says
Excellent read
Brooner says
I havent used it yet. Interesting!
mikerosa1965 says
Thanks for the helpful information
Tara says
Great info lots to learn about.
Andy says
I always keep a bottle of phyto handy!
Jeremy Irwin says
Good read I will share this for sure
Jeremy Irwin says
Great information here take note
Tiffanie says
Interesting!
Nicholas Pettit says
Interesting
Alex Cheshmedjiev says
Awesome article. Will try for sure!
Brandi says
I wonder why locking up nutrients in biological forms rather than eliminating them isn’t recommended to new aquarists more often.
Christopher Burns says
good info!
Sean Simkins says
Wow I ought to try
professorcanswanky says
I’ll give it a shot
ANDREW WELSH says
Very interesting read
Erich Kuhlmann says
I’m glad I was able to beat them!
Ross Bennett says
Battling them now and just ordered some so I hope it works!
David says
Interesting article about dinos. Will have to try ocean magik
Doug Smith says
I watch my nutrients pretty close and use a UV Sterilizer but phytoplankton could also be a very valuable natural way to rid a tank of Dinos.
darksorcerer0530 says
This is super informative. I’ve been battling dinoflagellates for a while in my reef tank and this gives some pretty good pointers as to what I can do against this problem.
Angela Revell says
Love it
Angela Revell says
I use this!
Marc Raupp says
i have kept aquariums for years and this approach has given me the best results. i swear by pods and ocean magic.
Juan Gonzalez says
I have used Poseidon’s feast and Ocean Magik with Great results. Will be placing another order soon!
Juan Gonzalez says
have used Poseidon’s feast and Ocean Magik with Great results. Will be placing another order soon!
Juan Gonzalez says
Ocean Magik works wonders!!
Anchor Sarslow says
Great to see natural solutions for problems.. Nice to know I dont have to ad chemicals..
Anthony Ferrelli says
It’s in my order for delivery today ty
George says
Wow. Good info
Michael Kessler says
If I ever get Dinos I’ll try this
Andrew Bilodeau says
Never knew this info!
Timothy B says
Great read , thanks ! Very helpful
Christopher says
Algaebarn are rocking it
Hugh Donnelly says
This is a great idea
kalihankerd says
I will have to give this a try!
Savoury Kem says
Whoa
Deborah Najm says
Just bought Ocean Magik, looking forward to seeing the results!
Ricardo Munoz says
Need to try
Ricardo Munoz says
Will try soon
Ricardo munoz says
Good read
Anthony Ferrelli says
Nice
Eric L says
Barreling Dino’s now and using phyto. Fingers crossed
zadok jollie says
Love these articles, lots of useful information and very well written.
Gino says
Trustworthy knowledge!
James says
Interesting
James says
Cool
garethb9 says
Lots of interesting information and helped alot!
Brent Cox says
Lots of good info. Well done article.
Robert Paniagua says
Just got my ocean magic to battle this algea
Max Williquette says
Sounds like a great idea!
Brent says
Always looking to try new things, especially supplements that work with the microfauna!
Luis Ruiz says
Looks interesting I’ll set one. for next two months
Tom Giddens says
love it
John Key says
Great insight!
Kris hamann says
Great info!
danieoue says
It work
Wade says
I’m going thru this as of right now. I will have to try and hope to overcome.
Wade says
Gonna have to try and hope to overcome
Sean Beaver says
Awesome blog post.
Itzel says
Plankton just wants the krabby patty formula
Ellen S Imbrie says
Excellent read
Ellen S Imbrie says
Would be nice if it worked for me
Ellen S Imbrie says
thanks for posting
Kristopher Kasarda says
I’m loving this idea!
Derek says
Great read, worth a shot!
chrissyhexd says
Sweeeeet!
chrissyhexd says
Muchas gracias for this artical!
KB says
Very interesting read. I will absolutely give this a try next time I have a breakout. I’ll update this post with a review if I do!
Justin says
Good info
Luke says
nice!
Jeremy Hunsberger says
Sweet
Bennett Sheppard says
I’m going to have to reread this and try it out.
Steven Hurst says
Good read for sure
Krish says
Good read
darrowfam4 says
Something to look into.. There is so much to learn!!
darrowfam4 says
One more thing to check in to!
Martin Gundel says
Trying this right now as preventative measure.
William Schimmel says
great article
bob jones says
Great article, we have all been there at some point
tyler glissendorf says
Wish my phyto culture didn’t crash
btack206 says
We have had issues with brown algae in our saltwater tank as well as green algae in our freshwater tank. Ocean Magik is definitely worth considering because we have tried everything including snails to try to stay away from chemical treatments. Unfortunately, that didn’t work either!!
Paul R Cote says
Been useing for about 2 month love it.
Paul Barton says
I battled dinos for nearly 6 mos and tried several different methods to eradicate them. Ultimately a hands off approach in combination with phytoplankton and copepods took care of it.
Ryan M. Vaughan says
Really helps with fully stocked aquariums.
Jordan Sangiovanni says
Awesome
Branden Hess says
Love these pods.
Branden Hess says
Love these.
Branden Hess says
Love these. Are basically a must have for your tank.
stoph70 says
Is there data on the success rate?
ian m mahoney says
I started my 235 gallon system with Pods and dosing Phyto over 2.5 yrs ago still adding Phyto to date and never had any Dino’s.
John T says
nice ready! definitely informative information. will have to try this out
Nick says
Luckily I have not had Dinos……. Yet!
Ethan says
Any experiments proving that phytoplanktons are more effective than a blackout method?
glenzemke says
Ocean Magik looks like a great product
Ryan Thompson says
Dinos prefer a super low nutrient environment
Frank says
Good article
Logan says
Awesome
Jose Pacheco says
Nice info
Jason Griggs says
Tried it
Dylan says
Very cool!
Ricardo Munoz says
Seems like a nice try, gonna experiment soon…
Remy Lelias says
I already used this to remove diano and it worked.
AJ says
I’m fighting dinos now.
Leo says
Seems to work pretty well.
Lisa says
Excellent article. Love learning new ways to fight dinoflagellets!
Cezary Wysocki says
I’m battling Dino’s right now. I started phyto dosing. We will see.
Maritza Ritzzzz says
Use this everyday!
Eric Homan says
Interesting read.
Scott Catoe says
I thought that ultra-low nutrients is what caused dinos, but this article seems to say lowering nutrients is the answer. I’m confused even more now. Can someone clarify?
John Tyce says
This is an old article and we have since discovered and agree widely that bottoming out NO3 and PO4 cause dino outbreaks not high nutrients. I do not deny the benefit of phytos in the tank, but they will not help prevent or eliminate dinos by lowering nutrients. In fact if they lower nutrients they will contribute to the problem.
Samantha Obergas says
Thank you for your input! You bring up a valid point, and it’s great to have discussions like these. While the article suggests that introducing beneficial microalgae can help reduce dinoflagellate populations by competing for nutrients, it’s important to acknowledge that the relationship between nutrient levels and dinoflagellate outbreaks is still a topic of debate among aquarists.
There are various approaches to managing dinoflagellates, and the most effective method can vary depending on the specific circumstances in an aquarium. Some aquarists have found success in reducing nutrient levels, while others focus on competitive exclusion with beneficial microalgae. It’s essential to consider all available strategies and consult with experienced aquarists to find the best solution for a particular tank.
In summary, while the article promotes one approach, we appreciate your perspective, and it’s essential to explore different methods to address dinoflagellate outbreaks effectively.