Am I doing this coral thing right?

[noobreefer2]

Hi everyone, I set up my saltwater tank a little over a year ago, and just recently I picked up my first coral about three weeks ago and I think it has been doing pretty well ever science.

My question is: Am I ready for more corals?

Here are my parameters:

Alk: 9
Cal: 440
Mag: 1350
Nitrate: 0-1 (I know it's low I am trying to get it up)
Ammonia: 0
Phosphate: unknown because my stupid test kit is unreadable

I replenish my alkalinity weekly with BRS-2 part (the drop is about .1 dkh per day). I also have calcium and magnesium replenishments on hand, but I don't really need them because of my bi-weekly water changes with Tropic Marin pro.

My nitrates are a bit low I want to get them up to around 2.5-5 (for my refugium). What levels of nitrate/phosphate do you suggest? Should I try to raise my nitrates?

I am also in the middle of a mild diatom outbreak, my theory is when I put new sand in my refugium it was full of silicates which encouraged a diatom outbreak.

The diatoms (and a little bit of cyano is annoying my GSP) What would I do about that?
The picture was taken at night so the polyps are closed up.

Otherwise, I think that It is doing pretty well:

Any opinions would be appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

[P-Dub]

I think you are fine with adding more corals. Feed your tank more if you want to raise nutrients but watch your phosphates. Get a Hanna ULR Photshate tester.

 

[noobreefer2]

Thank you so much! I will do that

 

[noobreefer2]

I do have some cyano/diatoms as I mentioned above, growing on the GSP. Should I blow it off or just leave it be?

 

[P-Dub]

I do have some cyano/diatoms as I mentioned above, growing on the GSP. Should I blow it off or just leave it be?

You can blow but it will find its way back. Wait it out and control it with nutrients. Time, monitoring, and patience is your best weapon.