Beginner Chemistry

[DexterKarin]

So I have a 13.5 gallon Fluval Evo with 12.5 gallons due to rock displacement. I did the Dr. Tim's cycling and after Ammonia and Nitrite 0 for a couple days, did water change and added two 1 & 1.25 inch clowns 3 weeks ago. I have since added 4 hermits, a banded troccus snail, and a cerith snail, and two nassarius snails. I also have 3 beginner coral frags, a GSP, and two zoas (total guilt buy from a very nice shop owner). These stocking choices look aggressive and not my intention.. a bit embarassed. I do 2 gallon water changes weekly. Ugly stage has varied. I seem at the moment to control well by limiting light to 6 hours and then trying to stick to blues.

Given the tests I have this is my parameters now.
Ammonia 0 consistent with API and Red Sea tests
Nitrite 0.1 consistently with Red Sea test
Nitrate can vary between 5 and 10 Red Sea test
ALK is 7.5 with Red Sea test
Phosphate is 0.25 but very hard to read with Salifert test (potential error high).

What should I focus on if anything. I get new tanks vary a lot. Just wanting to cruise for a while and encourage stability. I know those phosphates are high, but not sure warrant anything really. I also think I need to invest in better tests for some of these. Phosphate in particular as the Salifert test is not easy to read.

Any thoughts very welcome.

 

[Troylee]

Invest in a Hannah checker for po4.. with little to no corals your tank will be fine for a long time just doing small water changes as you’re doing.

 

[TX_REEF]

Nothing in your parameters seem extremely alarming to my eye - keep up with water changes to keep phosphates under control, and perhaps consider adding an algae scrubber to passively manage.

 

[jda]

That all looks OK. Just continue the routine and let the ecosystem develop further.