Wrong fish

Should I do another water change, or am I wasting my time until I can confirm my test kit is accurate, I've done 2 water chages since last week, and my tests keep coming up high? Also, any ideas on the names of critters I mentioned in my previous posts?
 
I would keep doing the water changes, simply because of the potential harm from the high levels. However, since you are starting to see micro-inverts, the levels probably are not that high, as these inverts are typically very sensitive. One thing to check is the expiration date on the kit--they do have a limited shelf life and are known to be highly inaccurate much past the expiration date. Unfortunately, very few places check their kits and replace them when they are too old.

As for identifying critters--the hair like worms are probably young bristleworms. Excellent detrivores, and a healthy part of your clean up crew. The small feather dusters are just that--a member of the same family as thier larger cousins. Harmless filter feeders that build a stony tube to live in.

If you really want a shock, use a red filtered light to scope out your tank after the tank has been in the dark for half an hour or so! You will be shocked! :D
 
Since I'm seeing healthy micro inverts, and I'm having an outbreak of brown algae and bubble algae, could I safely get some snails and hermits?:confused: My test kit does not have an expiration date, I will try and get a different one tonight.
 
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Most likely. I would get only a few, and be sure to acclimate them slowly. Stores tend to keep their salinities very different from most home tanks, and inverts react poorly to sudden changes. If they do well, adding a few more should be safe, with the same caution to acclimate them.
 
Well Iwent out last night and got 3 turbo's and 3 blue legged hermits, acclimated them for 1 hour and 15 minutes. They are still cleaning this morning, they all moved pretty far over night. One of the snails is about half out of the water on the glass, but I think that's ok because they are like that in the lfs all the time. My lfs is going to test my water sometime this week, I just have to drive back out there. Thanks again Oriongirl, things seem to be going good now!
 
Couldn't have done it without everyone's help here! I'm hoping to scoop out my damsels sometime this week and get some different fish, some "keepers" for my setup.
 
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