Agree with jgraz.
In an 80 I had a number of years ago they took over the tank. Here's what I did as I recall...
20% water change.
Chemipure dose.
Protein skimmer off.
Full 100% covering of tank.
Left covered 3 full days, never checked, never peeked, no food, zero light.
Opened tank day 4, used turkey baster to loosen up dead/dying flag, blasted the heck out of all rock and sand.
Lights on overnight, with a feed for fish/corals.
Next day another baster blast, changed filter floss, 20% water change.
And... cover again for another 48 hours.
With a final baster treatment and water change had 100% success.
Also, FYI regarding cheato...
Its a pretty simple grower and can easily sustain on minimal nutrients with moderate circulation, but I don't think people realize the substantial amount of light it requires.
For a normal/large fuge a light clamp with a 1oow floodlight type bulb bulb 4-6" off the water surface does well.
My current setup has a separate small 2 gallon fuge over which I have a full spectrum 18w fixture 2-3" off the surface and I remove softball sized chunks of the stuff weekly.
If you're looking at the water surface and saying, 'Wow, that's bright' you probably have enough light.
In an 80 I had a number of years ago they took over the tank. Here's what I did as I recall...
20% water change.
Chemipure dose.
Protein skimmer off.
Full 100% covering of tank.
Left covered 3 full days, never checked, never peeked, no food, zero light.
Opened tank day 4, used turkey baster to loosen up dead/dying flag, blasted the heck out of all rock and sand.
Lights on overnight, with a feed for fish/corals.
Next day another baster blast, changed filter floss, 20% water change.
And... cover again for another 48 hours.
With a final baster treatment and water change had 100% success.
Also, FYI regarding cheato...
Its a pretty simple grower and can easily sustain on minimal nutrients with moderate circulation, but I don't think people realize the substantial amount of light it requires.
For a normal/large fuge a light clamp with a 1oow floodlight type bulb bulb 4-6" off the water surface does well.
My current setup has a separate small 2 gallon fuge over which I have a full spectrum 18w fixture 2-3" off the surface and I remove softball sized chunks of the stuff weekly.
If you're looking at the water surface and saying, 'Wow, that's bright' you probably have enough light.