All for Reef questions...

[DJ Suess]

I did a tank transfer. My old tank was leaking. I got an IM AIO 40 Nuvo Pro 2.
I have a low bio load 2 clown fish, a few snails, A few hermit crabs, 3-4 zoas, a toadstool and a finger leather coral.
Cal. 308
Alk 7.8
PH 8.25
nitrate 9.0
phosphate 0.12
Sal 1.025
My question is can I use just All For Reef to get my levels of Alk and Cal up to proper levels or do I need Balling part 1 and 2 to raise the levels up?
I also need to check my Magnesium and I have a Hanna checker on order to do that soon. Also any help on Nitrate and Phosphate levels would be great.

 

[JTP424]

What type of salt are you using and how often are you doing water changes?

 

[DJ Suess]

red sea blue bucket salt.
Have not changed the water yet cause I just set it up 3/16/25

 

[JTP424]

I wouldn't worry about dosing anything until you get into a water change routine and see how much your corals actually consume :)
Most of the corals you have noted don't require significant amounts of Alk or Ca

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally I use AFR to maintain the alk.... If I need to increase it, I use alk buffer. Alk buffer is a lot cheaper than AFR.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I suspect a calcium test error. The alk is fine. I’m not sure you need AFR.

 

[DJ Suess]

I wouldn't worry about dosing anything until you get into a water change routine and see how much your corals actually consume :)
Most of the corals you have noted don't require significant amounts of Alk or Ca

I just did my first set of tests today. I was planning on testing in 2 more days to see what the difference may be. My real concerns are my Cal, Nitrates and Phosphates. The numbers I have listed, Should I be worried about them too much. As for water changes I will do one this weekend. I just did not see the need to do one yet as I used all the rock and about 20-30% of water from the old tank.

 

[DJ Suess]

I suspect a calcium test error. The alk is fine. I’m not sure you need AFR.

I thought the same thing so I did the test 2 times. Hanna checker

 

[Oldreefer44]

You didn't mention salinity. Suggest making sure it is in line before worrying about other stuff. Agree that Alk is fine.

 

[DJ Suess]

My regents are old though. I ordered new ones today. lol

 

[DJ Suess]

You didn't mention salinity. Suggest making sure it is in line before worrying about other stuff. Agree that Alk is fine.

1.025 sal

 

[DJ Suess]

I need to go AFK for a bit but, I will check back soon. Thanks for your replies.
ALso I am logging my tests results to see if I can see any trends.

 

[p1u5h13r4m24]

I personally would just get calcium and dose it to get it up. Once levels are where you want use all for reef for alk and calcium to keep them balanced.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I thought the same thing so I did the test 2 times. Hanna checker

Both times are likely off. Try it on some new salt water. Calcium cannot just get low. It takes a lot of alk dosed with no calcium to drive calcium that low.

 

[DJ Suess]

Thanks for the information!!!

 

[DJ Suess]

I have some green phosphate filter pad I could add to my filtration system. I think I will try that to lower my phosphates. Also I have a skimmer on the way to deal with nitrates.

 

[DJ Suess]

I have not dosed anything since the tank transfer. I made 20 gallons of new water when I did the tank change.

 

[DJ Suess]

Little quick trip around the tank.

 

[DJ Suess]

Tank video

 

[p1u5h13r4m24]

I have some green phosphate filter pad I could add to my filtration system. I think I will try that to lower my phosphates. Also I have a skimmer on the way to deal with nitrates.

Your phosphates are fine I wouldn’t worry about them. If you’re truly worried just do water changes. The water change will lower ur nutrients and balance out your chemistry. Win win for you. But really I know sps guys who run .2-.3 phos