Tank out of control

[tg1119]

Well I have let me tank slip over the past couple of months due to traveling and school. I have a 40 gallon breeder that has become over run with detritus and hair algae. I used a power head and blew all the junk from between the rocks and any dead spots that I found, then did a 5 gallon water change. I am planning on doing another water change later this week, I didn't want to change to much at one time. I just ordered a large clean up crew of 50 blue leg hermits and 50 astrea snails that should be here before the end of the week. I had a clean up crew but they have slowly died and am now down to about 5 snails and 5 or so crabs.

Am I taking the right steps to getting my tank under control? Any thing that I might have forgot to do or that I should do?

[RayAllen]

water changes are the key to get you back on track. So just keep doing what you are.

[erikharrison]

I thought that I had replied to this.... Leve the lights off for a couple of days. Do a large water change before and after. Remove as much hair algae as possible manually. Let your crabs and snails do the rest.

[Fish4life]

how old are your bulbs? what are your what quality parameters? Skimmer? Brand? More info will help us to help you get that tank back on track.

cheers,

kurt

[tg1119]

I have 2 150 watt mh, the bulbs are over 6 months old. I have a aqua c remora skimmer and it has been filling up the cup with dark smelly skimmate. The only thing I test for is salinity 1.026, ph 8.2 and ca around 400 ppm. I top of with RO water and the only thing I add is B Ionic. I am going to the lfs to get them to test my water tomorrow.