Testing for the first time

[T33BLACK]

So I have been keeping a reef aquarium for quite some time now and want to take things to the next level. I've always just winged It lol I guess I'm a rebel.everything has always done okay ( I can grow euphyllia like a champ lol) but I got my first test kits today (salifert) and have tested everything and need some help. Wondering what my next steps should be after these test results? I recently did a water change about 4 days ago ( ive always used reef crystals) and tested my parameters today. I have good flow and a good filter system/skimmer and 2 kessil AP9x on 150 gallon peninsula. I always do a water change once every 2 weeks or so. Most Coral I've had always grows just "okay" but I can never get zoas(which i thought were easy to keep) or chateo in my refugium for that matter to do good?

Phosphate 0
Nitrate 0
Magnesium 1100
Calcium 420
Ph 8.0
Alk 6.7

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I’d feed more or dose N and P.

Are you dosing alk and calcium? If not, the magnesium value is either inaccurate or salinity is very low.

 

[T33BLACK]

I’d feed more or dose N and P.

Are you dosing alk and calcium? If not, the magnesium value is either inaccurate or

Sal

I’d feed more or dose N and P.

Are you dosing alk and calcium? If not, the magnesium value is either inaccurate or salinity is very low.

Salinity is 1.025
I've never dosed anything just always done water changes usually bi weekly. Sump has filter socks and bubble magus skimmer and always used chemipure blue in a seapora reactor in the sump the middle part is set up for a refugium but never been able to grow anything In it like chaeto with a kessil h80 on it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I’d ignore magnesium. It is still what came in your salt mix.

I’d look to use an alk and calcium system to
Maintain alk. Calcium will follow along just fine.

 

[T33BLACK]

Should I remove the chemipure blue is it taking to much phosphate/Nitrate out?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Should I remove the chemipure blue is it taking to much phosphate/Nitrate out?

Chemipure Blue doesn't directly bind phosphate from seawater. Nor nitrate.

It can only reduce those things by binding organics before they degrade, and that is usually not a big effect. I'd think of it as similar in effect to GAC.

 

[T33BLACK]

Chemipure Blue doesn't directly bind phosphate from seawater. Nor nitrate.

It can only reduce those things by binding organics before they degrade, and that is usually not a big effect. I'd think of it as similar in effect to GAC.

Ok thanks nice to know.

 

[T33BLACK]

Would something like all for reef or kalkwasser be something I should do?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Would something like all for reef or kalkwasser be something I should do?

Either one is a fine way to add alk and calcium.

 

[T33BLACK]

Either one is a fine way to add alk and calcium.

Great thank you so much im gonna give it a try! Currently i have nothing in my refugium other than some live rock rubble and some hair algae growing since cheato always has died for me .should I wait till I get the phosphate and nitrates up to try calurpa or chateo?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Great thank you so much im gonna give it a try! Currently i have nothing in my refugium other than some live rock rubble and some hair algae growing since cheato always has died for me .should I wait till I get the phosphate and nitrates up to try calurpa or chateo?

I’d wait, yes. There’s limited benefit if there are no nutrients.