bvaring

I used to use liquid dropper test but I got lazy. I think these strips have expired or got contaminated because the color is kinda brownish pink. I got the water tested at PetSmart today and I think they use the same strips. 0 for both Nitrates and Nitrites and no Ammonia. I might overdone the water changes a bit. I'll have to get new test and see if the Nitrates rise. I hope the 0 level will help to get rid of the BBA. I plan to also start using Flourish Excel again daily. Thanks

It thought about that yesteday and tested and it was 0. I never thought about the test strips being bad. I'll get it tested at PetSmart today. Thanks

Nitrates are always 40+. I just did a 50% water change and it still shows 50 ppm nitrates before and after the water change. How is it possible that it does not change? I have seen this statement "Optimize fertilization: Improve fertilization levels." Should I fertilize and what does optimize and improve mean for my tank? Thanks

No, what are the green specks on the first pic. I can get rid of them. Suggestion?

Can somone tell me what kind of algae this is? It is the little green spots? They are stuck to the glass and very hard if not impossible to remove by force or chemicle. If you also notice the BBA, I know about that one and the same applies but I'm working on it. Each time I get a little plant growth the BBA takes over. The vallisneria was covered with it so I cut it all back and it hasn't grown back yet. I have tried peroxide dosing (didn't work, try again?), and daily flourish excel but only for a week. On the pic with the wood I see at the top the BBA has turned grey after brushing some on the wood only outside the tank. But I can't see all the BBA spots to brush on because it is hard to see outside the tank. Also, I figure if I don't get it out of the water it will just grow back and the little spot treatments will not matter. I don't want to even try spot treating the plants. I am amateur, really, I know but my fish live on almost no problems.