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- Apr 13, 2016
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Okay budget is tight right now, I will see if I can get a new nitrate test kit since I just finished the one I had and will update you here in 3 weeks.Ok.. I'm guessing you rinse it out in tap water... Best is in rodi water or make up a gallon of water with that Api stuff I took a pic of. Or, you can buy filter floss and just trash it every 3 days. (It's the stuff that looks like seat cushion material.. you just ball it up and put it where your sponge went.).
If you had a skimmer, I'd recommend NOPOX. This would get your nitrates down faster than water changes alone. You could still try it. You might need to clean sponge every day. Idk.
It will be important for you to monitor your nitrates regularly. For soft coral (like my tank.. zoas, pallys etc) 5ppm - 10ppm is the target. That's where they do best. SPS coral don't like the higher stuff like softies.
As far as your phosphates... I wouldnt be too concerned... You should know where they are at, but I saw you had chemipure. I run the elite version in mine as carbon & phosphate control. My phosphate is always at .25ppm. Prolly because my stupid API test kit isn't that sensitive. A phosphate test kit should be on your to do list.
So, take care of those chloramines and do those water changes and keep an eye on your nitrates. You should see the nitrates go down every week. If not, you prolly fed too much.
Let's address your alkalinity... Don't do anything.
By doing those water changes for nitrates, you will be raising alk. The Kent Salt that you have has 8.5dkh in the mix. I'd like to schedule a follow up appt. In three weeks. I'd like to see where you are at with the chloramines, nitrates and dkh values. . Don't go messing with lights or other things.. just what we discussed. So, post back on this thread in 3 weeks or if you have questions.