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.

Thanks 🙏. In try to ensure they eat well.

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.

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.

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.

Dinos*

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

That is definitely a strategy. I have a 40 watt Lifegard aquatics UV running on it 24/7 currently. The sand bed is something I just like in my aquariums. But i think the system is slowly balancing.

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

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.

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

That is true.

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.

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