Nitrates out of control!!!!!!!!!

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I am starting to think my dsb in the fuge is the source. I am going to pull the sand out tonight and see. All my hermit crabs die after about 5 days.

Sounds like a problem other than nitrate to me.

What about snails?

Do you use tap water?

Any metal and especially brass parts exposed to the water anywhere?

 

[Paul_PSU]

Randy,
I have lost snails also, but my nassarius(the large ones that burrow under the sand) are ok so far. I have a few nerite that seem to be doing ok also. I lost the turbo grazers.

I use RO/DI water. I have a Dual TDS meter on it so I'm good there, nothing wrong.

I have no metal anywhere near the sump or tank.

I went ahead and pulled the sump out last night and removed the miracle mud to see. The sump will be easier to maintain now anyways even if that isn't the problem. I am going to test later tonight and see.

Paul