Dead Nassarius under sand

[davidmwj]

Help!
I'm having an issue in my tank. I had a PH fluctuation problem a couple weeks ago, and in the process I must have killed a bunch of my Nassarrius snails. I had purchased 25 for my 90 gallon some months back. Now I only see about 3 or 4 moving around when I feed. My sand has brown algae all over it and now it's on the rocks too. I checked my levels the day before yesterday and Nitrites and Nitrates were both 0. Alk is now about 10dkh and PH 8.2.
I don't know whether to try to get those dead snails out, which would stir up the sand, or just leave them and let it run it's course. I just did a 20gallon change on Monday and hoped that would help, but all the brown has come back. Concidentally, my pulsing xenia is starting to spread like crazy. I think it's feeding off the carnage.
Any advice is welcome.
Thanks

 

[geraldwhite]

I had a similar issue but mine was due to huge Salinity issues when the tank was new I lost about 10 snails. I left the shell alone and I havent had an issues, I have some hermit crabs and I'm hoping they will take over the dead shells.

 

[davidmwj]

So, you are saying you didn't get any algae on your sand after they died, or you did and it went away? How much water volume do you have?
Does anybody else have some advice for me? Should I stir the sand and pull them out or leave them. It's been a couple of weeks and my algae problem hasn't cleared up any. As I said in my original post, I did a 20 gallon change last weekend. Should I do another change, and how much can I change without causing a cycle.
Thanks

 

[jerthunter]

I would just leave them, add some hermit crabs if you are worried, they will find and eat almost anything that is dead. I wouldn't worry about doing more water changes unless you notice something wrong with your water tests and I wouldn't worry about doing to much of a water change, I've heard of people who do up to 50% with no problems. But in your case I'd stick with normal water changes and see what happens.

 

[davidmwj]

Sounds good. I did take a water sample to the LFS this weekend and got an all clear. While there I picked up another 15 gallons and did another change just so I could siphon the sand. Hopefully it will stay clean this time. Thanks for the help.