Help!

[San Diego Reef Fan]

180
Coral - mostly euphyllia and hammer. Fish- Convict and Purple tang, Fox face, 4 dwarf angels and copper band butterfly.
In sump from left to right, left compartment doubled up filter socks…middle - tumbling Chaeto and some live rock (Chaeto grows quickly)…between the middle and right compartments where the water flows (from left to right), 3 bags of rowaphos and a bag of D-nitrate. In final compartment, skimmer…works very well… black crud.
*Understand lots of bio load*
My readings as of last week. Nitrates were zero).
This weekend…
1) big water change to raise salinity to 1.024
2) continue to add ( half dose) Microbactef 7 every a.m. with skimmer off for 4 hours give or take.
3) as of yesterday Nitrates up to .3 Still low but gradually feeding a bit more than my once a day in the a.m.
Phosphates were .64
4) as of today…nitrates still .3 BUT phosphates .87!!
At my Witt’s end as of course, along with all this I am losing a torch or hammer a day. Sudden degradation and then done. Have tried dipping Coral RX, Revive and Melaflix with zero positive results.
*Now considering PHOSGUARD even understanding th3 potential negative ramifications.
ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Thank you!

 

[Garf]

180
Coral - mostly euphyllia and hammer. Fish- Convict and Purple tang, Fox face, 4 dwarf angels and copper band butterfly.
In sump from left to right, left compartment doubled up filter socks…middle - tumbling Chaeto and some live rock (Chaeto grows quickly)…between the middle and right compartments where the water flows (from left to right), 3 bags of rowaphos and a bag of D-nitrate. In final compartment, skimmer…works very well… black crud.
*Understand lots of bio load*
My readings as of last week. Nitrates were zero).
This weekend…
1) big water change to raise salinity to 1.024
2) continue to add ( half dose) Microbactef 7 every a.m. with skimmer off for 4 hours give or take.
3) as of yesterday Nitrates up to .3 Still low but gradually feeding a bit more than my once a day in the a.m.
Phosphates were .64
4) as of today…nitrates still .3 BUT phosphates .87!!
At my Witt’s end as of course, along with all this I am losing a torch or hammer a day. Sudden degradation and then done. Have tried dipping Coral RX, Revive and Melaflix with zero positive results.
*Now considering PHOSGUARD even understanding th3 potential negative ramifications.
ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Thank you!

Firstly if you are getting high calcium and mag at a salinity of 1.021, there maybe a salinity testing/calibration issue. There's a link to Randy's DIY calibration solution in my signature.

 

[San Diego Reef Fan]

Firstly if you are getting high calcium and mag at a salinity of 1.021, there maybe a salinity testing/calibration issue. There's a link to Randy's DIY calibration solution in my signature.

I had added Tropic Marine all-for-reef the day before which raised those two.

 

[Garf]

I had added Tropic Marine all-for-reef the day before which raised those two.

You must have added a lot to make any noticeable difference. Magnesium tests are "iffy" anyway and calcium can certainly creep up on you. How are you testing salinity?

 

[San Diego Reef Fan]

You must have added a lot to make any noticeable difference. Magnesium tests are "iffy" anyway and calcium can certainly creep up on you. How are you testing salinity?

Glass hydrometer

 

[Garf]

Glass hydrometer

Ok, I think you should stick the all for reef in the cupboard and maintain alkalinity with sodium bicarb, until the calcium comes down whilst increasing salinity. I'd aim for a salinity of 1.026 personally. Out of curiosity, why was it at 1.021 and for how long?

 

[San Diego Reef Fan]

Ok, I think you should stick the all for reef in the cupboard and maintain alkalinity with sodium bicarb, until the calcium comes down whilst increasing salinity. I'd aim for a salinity of 1.026 personally. Out of curiosity, why was it at 1.021 and for how long?

Not sure how long. I have stopped all dosing except for microbacter 7 (half recommended every morning)

 

[BryanM]

I'm dosing lanthanum chloride to lower phosphates, and its taking forever. No idea how high mine are. Tester blinks .9 :(

 

[San Diego Reef Fan]

I’ve decided to try 1/3 dose of Phosguard with Rowaphos. Will text every day