1st Full Week of Fluconazole And Stuff is Happening!

[@Dierks27]

Fish are looking fantastic buddy!

[@theloneaquarist]

Thanks. I keep them well fed. But really it’s because they’re all from you dude. Your QT procedures and care is top notch.

[@Lewis-gf6on]

Wow your fish look so healthy, that powder blue looks incredible! Keep fighting you will win eventually.

[@theloneaquarist]

Thanks 🙏. In try to ensure they eat well.

[@Vroomy1986]

FLUCONAZOLE IS AMAZING. I have used it for bryopsis in the past and its incredible. Great video buddy, keep up the updates. Dont give up it'll get there, regular water changes and let it find its Rhythm.

[@queencityreefs]

Looks like a step in the right direction. Keep it going 👏🔥💯✌️

[@cimitarthegrumpygamer3879]

Why are you not using manual removal at this stage?

[@theloneaquarist]

Definitely manually removing. The challenge is that I’m dealing with two very different Algae- bryopsis is a ‘boring’ type algae that embeds roots into rock work making it resilient to manual removal. But you remove the exposed tufts to help with nutrient issues as it dies off from the treatments. The other is “golden algae” which resembles dinoflagellates - and might be related, if my memory is correct- but has the ability to photosynthesis. Very tough in that it’s not in the water column. And siphoning only pulls the mucus like strands but the cells are active on the surface like a diatom.

[@Njwobrien]

Make sure you have a nitrate reduction tool, such as NOPOX. That briopsis death will spike Nitrate, and you'll get GHA. Cheers.

[@theloneaquarist]

Yes. I do carbon dose. Currently I dose 67ml per day. I use a DIY version of NoPox which simply vodka and vinegar with a bit of RODI.

[@desmondlarmond9698]

I would reduce white light first then turn off your flow and use a toothbrush and clean your rocks. Syphon your sand do not allow that algae to decompose in the tank. Then do a large water change. I would not trust your phosphate reading as the algae you have in your tank will give you false readings. You mentioned adding sand sifting starfish I would add a sand sifting goby to quickly work the sand. I hope you get it sorted soon good luck.

[@theloneaquarist]

Those are good points. I've done reduction of lights and siphoned repeatedly. But the algae is Bryopsis and is rooted...this was the reason I went with fluconazole. I don't want to do any water changes until I get at least 3 weeks with the fluconazole in my system, possibly 4 weeks. But, yes, good idea with the siphoning now into a filter sock back into the sump so I can pull the matter but not remove water. Regarding, phosphate I did send in an ICP last week and got the results this morning. My phosphate is at .01ppm -- so very low still. It could be bound up in the bryopsis and chrysos. but not sure. thank you for the guidance though. I appreciate it.

[@Mindboggle100]

What happened to cause such problems, in what looks like it was a pretty nice reef? You have some gorgeous fish!

[@theloneaquarist]

It’s more in control now as the system is balancing. I suspect it came in with some live rock.

[@naturalarts6668]

Hi… you have another issue there… you have Dinoflagellates that’s your main problem… turn those lights off for 3-4 days, add variety of bacteria, add copepods, floconazol will get rid of bryopsis… don’t add any invertebrate… they will die intoxicated by the dynos…..

[@naturalarts6668]

Dinos*

[@theloneaquarist]

I thought there were Dinos too. But after the cell analysis these are chrysophytes. Closely related species.

[@safiul1930]

Boy, I was thinking for saltwater but too much expensive and maintaining.

[@JeepinReefer406]

This is an extreme case of runaway algae's that are difficult to irradiate. Don't let this tank scare you away.

[@theloneaquarist]

I agree with @jeepinReefer406 comment below. This is an extreme case where "pest" like algaes have come in from what I'm suspecting the ocean farmed live rock. The two I'm dealing with is called Bryopsis and Chrysophyceae (chrysos). The tank is also relatively young at 14 months old so it's still maturing. Reef aquariums typically reach a biological equilibrium around 2yrs+. Keep in mind that the tank is holding ~190 gallons of saltwater so 100% water changes are not cheap. Smaller systems can be quickly corrected with water changes over time. Also, I'm mainly trying to correct this to build up my coral health and allow for additional acropora species into the tank -- the tank is healthy otherwise for simply fish and less sensitive corals species.

[@76honda76]

Don’t let this stop you from having a reef tank. Make sure you read and do a tons of research b4 tossing everything under the sun in a tank and think you know what you’re doing. But I guess this is how you learn , from mistakes

[@jefflewis2897]

Phosphate reading with algae is not going to be accurate. That algae is going to suck up all the phosphate just like a refugium would but in the display and not the sump.

[@theloneaquarist]

That is true.

[@dondonbedo5534]

Your Aquarium is much to small for so many (wrong choosen) fish😢

[@theloneaquarist]

It’s 180 gallon display so the number of fish is appropriate. There’s only 9 fish total, 5 of which are tangs. I truly appreciate your concern though. If for some reason a fish becomes too large or shows signs of stress I’ll need to rehome to a trusted destination.

[@pineappleking1467]

The fish look fat and happy couldn’t disagree more 👍