Well long over due for an update post, since I neglected the tank all summer, I had coralline take over all panels, which I finally took care of today, along with a long over due water change.
The tank has been thriving for some time now, the couple sps i do own is doing well, no signs of fish disease or deaths in upwards of half a year, no signs of the calurpa algae. Pretty much on auto pilot, as Id be doing long quarantine before I add anything at this point, it's been so long since I had a tank in this condition, don't want to mess it up.
Even the mandarin I added last winter is nice and fat and seems to be thriving. Still fighting with the skimmer from time to time, but if that's the biggest of my worries I'll take it.