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Battling Dino Algae in My New Tank + 3-Year Reef Update & Lessons Learned | Newbie Tank Build 2.0

SaltwaterAquarium

8,145 views

10-11-2025 In this episode, Jimmy faces one of the most frustrating challenges reefers encounter — a dino algae bloom in his new FOWLR tank. He walks us through how it started, what might have caused it, and the steps he’s taking to get things under control — from copepods and water changes to trying UV sterilization. Then, Jimmy switches gears to give an honest 3-year update on his very first reef tank, sharing lessons learned, gear updates, and a few hard-earned reefing tips. Whether you’re cycling your first tank or managing a mature reef, this episode is packed with relatable insights every aquarist can appreciate.
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⚠️ Products In This Video
► Reef Nutrition Apex-Pods Live Copepods (6 oz) - https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/ape...
► Neptune Systems Apex Temperature Probe -https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/ape...
► HYDROS 4 Outlet WiFi AC Power Strip - https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/hyd...
► Current USA Orbit Marine R24 (52 Watt) Bluetooth Aquarium Light w/Mount (4410) - https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/orb...
► Ocean Nutrition Frozen Mysis Shrimp (35 cubes, 3.5 oz) - https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/fro...
► ORA Aquacultured Vargas Cespitularia Coral (Cespitularia sp.) - https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/aqu...
► Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma veliferum) - https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/sai...
► Captive-Bred Yellow Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) - https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/cap...
► First Grade Blue Maxima Clam 3"-5" - https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/fir...
► Pink And Yellow Combo Zoa Rock WYSIWYG A2 - https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/pin...
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📩 If you have a request related to equipment in this video, or this video in general, email - sales@saltwateraquarium.com #saltwateraquarium #swaq

20 Comments

@kennethwilliams4966 11 months ago

Wow, three years old already?! Man time has sure flown by. Always enjoy your videos. Keep up the strong work, Jimmy!

@EasyReefKeeping 11 months ago

I'm starting to love this series! Such a crack up - keep up the good work Jimmy!

@flech3025 11 months ago

Look in to biome cycle. Almost all the "uglies" are photosynthetic, so turning the lights off almost always works. If you added the pods with your fish and kept the lights off for a couple of weeks you likely wouldn't see the dinos.

@GastronomicEntity 11 months ago

I love that so much that you said you don't know the names of the corals! I've just rejoined the hobby after a few years away and bought a box of 20 frags that I've already and promptly forgotten the names of😅

@rayp7066 11 months ago

Wow cannot believe it’s been 3 years since you set up your 1 st tank!! Watched the whole series now three years later watching2.0!! New tank looks awesome 😊

@brianjeffries207 11 months ago

Jimmy, I really enjoy your videos. I like that you are honest with the wins and challenges that you face. I also live in Florida and I appreciate seeing your journey.

@chrisr8707 11 months ago

You have no idea how much I look forward to a new video notification! I laugh so hard at every episode. Jimmy is hilarious! Hello from beautiful St. Petersburg, FL!

@tomgrude353 11 months ago

Absolutely love that tank whit the soft corals 👌👌

@queencityreefs 11 months ago

Keep up the great work! 👏🏻🙌🏻💪🏻❤️

@historybuff4402 11 months ago

Another great video. Awesome to see an update on that reef. It’s looking incredible. I’ve got a toadstool I’ve had for years and it’s still tiny in comparison. Hey, I didn’t see that grouper in the tank. Tell me he was just hiding and you didn’t send him packing.

@tomgrude353 11 months ago

Soft corals often trives whit the water being little bit Dirty

@WittleMermaidsReef 11 months ago

Nice gloves! Which are those, I need them.

@UncleCharlie2.0 11 months ago

I’m not gonna run UV, I’m gonna run low levels of ozone, I did this on my freshwater tank and it really cleared the water up.

@rjjrrailsgscalesolenske5231 11 months ago

Where did you get those gloves

@ltwolverine9200 9 months ago

How’s the UV going?

@chriscreasman 11 months ago

When is the Puffer coming?

@JayHennessy_satsumareef 11 months ago

First! 😂👋🏼

@hdemetri 11 months ago

My Proclear 200 peninsula just turned 2 years. Great tank. I have lots of LPS and soft coral but no real SPS. I don't do any dosing except water changes and everything is thriving. I had a few hurdles: Dinos, fish parasites, and green hair algae, all of which are completely under control now. Your sump is much cleaner than mine. Do you clean it? I have tons of tube worms and sponge in my sump. I clean my return pump but don't do much else.

@abinder3 11 months ago

Once your FOWLR tank has matured, you may want to consider getting a tuxedo urchin for it
(I had a tuxedo urchin in my tank but unfortunately the cleaner shrimp in the tank ambushed it going between the substrate and the back of the tank. The cleaner shrimp made a meal of the urchin)