Hi

so.. is this a good thing? (algae stressed and dying)? or should I
worry
that something in the water is going bad?


Good.

that's good :-)

I still have green spot algae on the tank walls, and some diatoms.. all
the
other fuzzy stuff the SAE ate them, so can't really base the water
condition
on algae growth anymore..
ammonia, nitrite, nirate is all zero.. ph is somewhere betwenn 7.0 and
7.5-ish.. or so.. (still trying to get trend).. and yes.. will be
looking
into adding nitrate.. soon... GH=4 (dropped from 6 after water change),
KH=2... water is relatively clear.. ever-so-slightly hazy..

Do you use CO2?

no.. was planning to (bought nutrafin.. but haven't used it yet), until I
realized pH is fluctuating like crazy.. so. until I figure that part out (I
think I need to increase KH..), i'm a bit afraid to put CO2 in just yet..

Spot algae can be controlled but it requires focusing on a good CO2
routine and dosing or a non CO2 routine and approach.

so far, it's pretty small, and is on glass tank, so I'll live with wiping
them once in a while... once I get pH under control (or figure out how to
control it), I'll get some otos to eat the diatomms.. I hope.. (I like
otos, but don't like the thought of killing them since they are not as
robust..)

linda