I am still pretty new to saltwater and very new to reefing. I started a 40 gal about 3 months ago and have been keeping an eye on parameters. I'm using API reef kit to test weekly for: Alkalinity, Calcium, Nitrates and Phosphate, plus pH. I use a Salifert to double check Nitrate and used Salifert to check Ammonia in the beginning. Just brought home a Salifert Magnesium kit (LFS recommendation).
I am only testing my 40 gal Nuvo AIO currently. [I have a 10 gal and 20 gl that I do weekly water changes of 10-30% and haven't been too concerned about their levels since everything seems to be thriving and they are FOWLR.] On the 40, my Nitrates hit zero this week. I had been doing weekly 5 gal water changes since week 5 or 6 and LFS told me to slow down. Current load in tank is minimal - one clown and one bicolor blenny, tiger sand conch, cleaner shrimp, 6 snails. I've added 4 frags of various corals in the past week or two. I'd like to add a couple more fish but I'm waiting for the right additions and local availability.
My questions are two fold: More urgently, regarding my zero nitrates, I don't want to make major changes and swing too far in the wrong direction. Is reducing the water changes sufficient to achieve desired results? How often should I be changing the water and how much water should I change?
Moving forward: What testing kits do you recommend? Is there anything digital and automated? We're putting together a Raspberry/Reef Pi system for monitoring. Are Hanna kits the only digital manual kit? Considering cost of testing kits and tank sensitivity to changes, how should I prioritize my budget? Lastly, what parameters should I be aiming for with this tank?
In case it's relevant, I'm still battling diatoms but nothing unbearable. I have a couple of hair algae spots, no bigger than a quarter or so in size. But I do see a light "swaying" algae covering many darker/underside surfaces that is clear, about 1/8-1/4" in length and could be the beginnings of hair? Equipment: Nuvo 40 AIO tank, AI Prime 16 HD light, no sump, skimmer on hold (purchased, but not set up). Temp set to 78 and stays between 76-79. Media basket and sock filter. Feeding New Vision AIO dry blend in AM and Frozen cubes of spirulina brine shrimp in PM.
Thank you for your help!
I am only testing my 40 gal Nuvo AIO currently. [I have a 10 gal and 20 gl that I do weekly water changes of 10-30% and haven't been too concerned about their levels since everything seems to be thriving and they are FOWLR.] On the 40, my Nitrates hit zero this week. I had been doing weekly 5 gal water changes since week 5 or 6 and LFS told me to slow down. Current load in tank is minimal - one clown and one bicolor blenny, tiger sand conch, cleaner shrimp, 6 snails. I've added 4 frags of various corals in the past week or two. I'd like to add a couple more fish but I'm waiting for the right additions and local availability.
My questions are two fold: More urgently, regarding my zero nitrates, I don't want to make major changes and swing too far in the wrong direction. Is reducing the water changes sufficient to achieve desired results? How often should I be changing the water and how much water should I change?
Moving forward: What testing kits do you recommend? Is there anything digital and automated? We're putting together a Raspberry/Reef Pi system for monitoring. Are Hanna kits the only digital manual kit? Considering cost of testing kits and tank sensitivity to changes, how should I prioritize my budget? Lastly, what parameters should I be aiming for with this tank?
In case it's relevant, I'm still battling diatoms but nothing unbearable. I have a couple of hair algae spots, no bigger than a quarter or so in size. But I do see a light "swaying" algae covering many darker/underside surfaces that is clear, about 1/8-1/4" in length and could be the beginnings of hair? Equipment: Nuvo 40 AIO tank, AI Prime 16 HD light, no sump, skimmer on hold (purchased, but not set up). Temp set to 78 and stays between 76-79. Media basket and sock filter. Feeding New Vision AIO dry blend in AM and Frozen cubes of spirulina brine shrimp in PM.
Thank you for your help!