Beating dinoflagellates, the right way!!!
🔥 How to Get Rid of Dinoflagellates in Your Reef Tank
A complete, evidence‑based guide to identifying, treating, and eliminating dinoflagellates using reef‑safe, proven methods.
Shop Dino Assist Phytoplankton →What Are Dinoflagellates?
Dinoflagellates are harmful microalgae that can smother corals, destabilise your tank, and rapidly spread under low‑nutrient conditions.
🔍 Step 1: Identify Your Dino Species
Use a microscope (100–400x) to determine which species you're dealing with.
- Amphidinium — sand/rock dwelling
- Prorocentrum — sand/rock dwelling
- Ostreopsis — water column
- Coolia — water column
Sand & Rock Dwelling Dinos
These species hide in the substrate at night, making UV ineffective. Use a biological, multi‑layered approach:
- Silicate dosing
- Daily phytoplankton
- Copepod introduction
- Stable nitrate & phosphate
- Manual removal
🌊 Water Column Dinos
These species enter the water column at night — making UV sterilisation highly effective.
- UV steriliser (primary method)
- Phytoplankton dosing
- Copepod support
- Balanced nutrients
UV Sterilisation Setup
- 1 watt per 3 gallons minimum
- Flow rate: 1–3x tank volume per hour
- Intake pump near sand bed
- Run during lights‑out
Note: Turn off UV for 1 hour after dosing phytoplankton or copepods.
🧪 Silicate Dosing
Promote beneficial diatoms that outcompete dinos.
Formula: Tank size ÷ 55 (L) × 0.2 = mL/day
Water Chemistry Targets
- Nitrate: 5–10 ppm
- Phosphate: 0.03–0.10 ppm
- 0‑TDS RODI water
- Balanced trace elements (ICP recommended)
🌱 Build Strong Tank Biodiversity
- Daily phytoplankton dosing
- Copepod introduction
- Silicate‑supported diatoms
- Avoid ultra‑low nutrients
Dino Assist Phytoplankton
Hand‑cultured in Australia to support biodiversity during dinoflagellate treatment.
Dose: 25–100 mL per 100 L daily
Shop Dino Assist →Tisbe Copepods
Hardy, prolific grazers that naturally suppress dinoflagellates.
- Multiple bottles recommended
- Weekly dosing for 2–4 weeks
- Works with phytoplankton & silicates
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