I think that because of my use of tap water I had a spike in algae growth

[kingman8610]

Hmmm, maybe, I would know but I still dont fully understand Diatoms or what they really are lol c'mon.. I'm still learning, quickly yes, but still.

 

[mr_X]

i'm just saying that if the entire sand bed was full of gunk, you would be seeing issues elsewhere, like on the test kits at least, correct?

 

[kingman8610]

Yes, correst, but then again I only just started testing my tank regularly/at all... so really I have no Idea and I imagine thats why everything died but my hermits lol

 

[abdhalim2]

Lol yeah I had to learn that lesson the hard way. But lucky for me I had nothing too precious or expensive that died, just a few snails and a ton of astrea starfish. I have an API Master Test kit now but it only tests for Calcium, KH, Phosphates, and Nitrates

u need to get test kits for ammonia and nitrite....yes its important....even u had high reading in nitrates, its doesnt mean that your ammonia is 0....maybe that is the reason why other LS died in your tank....

 

[kingman8610]

Yes I agree