Well, what a long strange trip it continues to be. I haven't done any updating in way too long.
So, I currently have biopellets in my reactor in place of the GFO. Things have really started to turn around. Was minor bacterial and cyano bloom, as to be expected. Faded away and things are looking well...at least better than they were before. The cotton candy algae is very easy to remove now. Goes to show, once you remove the food source the roots weaken for easy removal. It is still a long path to recovery, but one day at a time. I continue to remove what I can in small bits through the day when I get the opportunity.
There have been no new additions to the tank to replace the losses that have been suffered through the process. This is due to not wanting to up the bioload or waste any additional livestock or money on my end...no matter how much I miss my tomini tang.
One very interesting piece is that all of the coraline algae that was covering the tank has been dying off since the addition of the biopellets. Though the stuff is pretty, it is also a pretty big pain to remove so I'm actually happy about this. I will be happier when it is all gone and not in such an 'eye sore' state.
With the downfall of the cotton candy algae, which is almost fully removed from the tank at this point, something always takes its place as per nature. The other red algae in the tank has spread some. It is easy to see in this picture as I didn't remove much during this weeks water change. It is very easy to remove compared to the cotton candy. I believe this simply to be the remnants of 'what happens when you don't use ro/di water' at this point.
Either way, not the most beautiful the tank has been by far but still need to share the journey. Take note in the right side of the tank you see the most surprisingly hardy fish in there, the hard to photograph and stunning marine beta, or comet.