Ok it is coming up on the 5-6 month I've had the tank set up. My test I took to my LFS he said my params were ok except for my nitrates that were up, but in the ok range. However, I bought two rounds of snails and they all die, but my hermits are still moving around the tank. I also attempted to add a pulsing xenia which is completly wilted now. I just switched out my lighting that the bulbs are 6-7 mo old. I keep my lights on for 7 hours, and my HOB fuge with 2 cheato clumps on the reverse schedule. (that bulb may be need of a change)
I feed ever other day, a half a cube of frozen shrimp once a week, and flake food the others, and only enough to where they consume in a few mins.
I think the issue may have started when I borrowed my brothers old RO/DI unit. It has not been in use for a while and in need of filter change. I just ordered them, and once the algae bloom started, I have been buying 5gal from the store and re-filling them.
There are bubbles on certain rocks, and they red alage does not come off easily.