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Hi guys, I need your help.
It's my Sour Patch few weeks ago. Greenish, healthy.
Water parameters are stable, .02-.06ppm PO4, 20-25ppm NO3, PAR around 350 in average, temperature around 77, PH 8.3-8.5, Alkalinity 7.7-8.0
Last week I decided to start the next fighting round with my nuisance algae (e.g. Udotea sp.)
I chose Brightwell Microbacter Clean, the idea was to remove / consume some organic waste / detritus and thus try to starve the algae.
Initially I added 8 full caps, ~40ml and it's the recommended dose. Then around 1 1/2 caps daily. I also usually switch off the skimmer.
On last Saturday I occasionally bought and immediately added into the tank 2 Emerald Crabs and 4 White-leg Hermit Crabs.
So, I had been dosing Microbacter Clean for 4 or 5 times, when I noticed the water is extremely clean. I never had such crystal water in my tank. It was on Tuesday. Meanwhile my green Udotea sp. turn into white and the edges of leaves became curly. Probably it's dying, not bad.
Next day, on Wednesday, I noticed my skimmer is off. It has emergency sensor, so the cap was full. The water was cloudy, one of the wrasses felt bad (and now it's still hiding in the pipe). Almost all the sticks retracted polyps and changed the color. They became grayish - really grayish.
Note: I haven't lost any sticks (yet), no RTN/STN signs.
On the left it's my Sour Patch now. It looks different, doesn't it?
Immediately I got the water samples and sent them to test. I got the result today, nothing bad IMO. Attached it.
So, now I have few possible explanations what happened:
1. Brightwell Microbacter Clean itself caused bacterial bloom (but why it happened only 5-6 days after beginning of treatment? the first dose was 8 caps, every consequent dose just 1 1/2)
2. Some maleficious bacteria introduced with Emerald / Hermit crabs
3. Dying algae exposed something into water (some kind of food for bacteria)
Then, bacteria reduced some nutrients or elements like Iron and it caused the very fast loosing of coloration
Now questions:
1. What's the measurements should I take to mitigate that effect? I already reduced the PAR (till 250 in average), added a bit PO4.
2. I have bottles with elements like Vanadium, Zinc, Iron, Cobalt, etc. Should I add them?
It's my Sour Patch few weeks ago. Greenish, healthy.
Water parameters are stable, .02-.06ppm PO4, 20-25ppm NO3, PAR around 350 in average, temperature around 77, PH 8.3-8.5, Alkalinity 7.7-8.0
Last week I decided to start the next fighting round with my nuisance algae (e.g. Udotea sp.)
I chose Brightwell Microbacter Clean, the idea was to remove / consume some organic waste / detritus and thus try to starve the algae.
Initially I added 8 full caps, ~40ml and it's the recommended dose. Then around 1 1/2 caps daily. I also usually switch off the skimmer.
On last Saturday I occasionally bought and immediately added into the tank 2 Emerald Crabs and 4 White-leg Hermit Crabs.
So, I had been dosing Microbacter Clean for 4 or 5 times, when I noticed the water is extremely clean. I never had such crystal water in my tank. It was on Tuesday. Meanwhile my green Udotea sp. turn into white and the edges of leaves became curly. Probably it's dying, not bad.
Next day, on Wednesday, I noticed my skimmer is off. It has emergency sensor, so the cap was full. The water was cloudy, one of the wrasses felt bad (and now it's still hiding in the pipe). Almost all the sticks retracted polyps and changed the color. They became grayish - really grayish.
Note: I haven't lost any sticks (yet), no RTN/STN signs.
On the left it's my Sour Patch now. It looks different, doesn't it?
Immediately I got the water samples and sent them to test. I got the result today, nothing bad IMO. Attached it.
So, now I have few possible explanations what happened:
1. Brightwell Microbacter Clean itself caused bacterial bloom (but why it happened only 5-6 days after beginning of treatment? the first dose was 8 caps, every consequent dose just 1 1/2)
2. Some maleficious bacteria introduced with Emerald / Hermit crabs
3. Dying algae exposed something into water (some kind of food for bacteria)
Then, bacteria reduced some nutrients or elements like Iron and it caused the very fast loosing of coloration
Now questions:
1. What's the measurements should I take to mitigate that effect? I already reduced the PAR (till 250 in average), added a bit PO4.
2. I have bottles with elements like Vanadium, Zinc, Iron, Cobalt, etc. Should I add them?

