Post feeding

I have a mappa puffer. It took weeks for me to get the water under control and once I did, I left the light on for like 2 days and its algae city. I got a phosphate bag and some algae pads and put them in the center chamber of my biocube. Algae is lessening...but i came home today and found 2 baby snails ( which i didnt purchase) crawling on my walls.
My question is..after feeding the mappa should I remove the empty clam shells from the tank ? Is that whats contributing to my water issues ?

 

There will always be phosphates. Have you tested for phosphates and nitrates? and what brand tests are you using?

 

+1^^^. Are you testing your water? Feeding, more than anything will contribute to nutrients. Of there is anything significant left over in the clam shells, it would be a good idea to remove them.

 

I use those API tests. Nitrates and nitrites were a little off but ammonia is almost nil. He eats them clean off..and I only feed him once a day. Only one small frozen clam and like 3 pieces of Krill. Then I will skip a day or so.

 

Some nitrate is usual but there should be no nitrite. I am assuming you are fully cycled since you have a mappa puffer. I am guessing the nitrite test is giving you a false reading which makes me question the Nitrate.

You didn't mention phosphate tests. If you don't have a phosphate kit you should if you are concerned with algae.

Do you have a fuge, algae turf scrubber or reactor for removing phosphates?

How big is your system? That puffer needs a large tank because it has a lot of waste which will drastically effect your water params.

 

^^^^^^^^^^Absolutely.It will be a constant battle with that fish in a biocube.