2 Months Wet.

[Hecticdude]

Hi guys,
Just wanted to check in and get some feedback and some questions answered.
75 gallon with 30 gallon sump total water vol 95 gallons.
Temp 78F
PH 8.2
Salinity 33.1 ppt Hanna Tester 1.023 Refractometer
Nitrate 0 Red Sea test kit.
Phosphate 0.01 Hanna tester
Calcium 457 ppm
Alk Dkh 8.4 Hanna tester
Magnesium 1360ppm Red Sea tester.
Sump has Tunze ato
Eishopp 200 s Skimmer.
Refugium with Cheato and grow light.

My question is Is my Salinity to low for mixed reef. I mix it to 1.026 IO reef Crystals and perform a 10% water change weekly.
I am feeding fish and targeting corals daily but my concern is that i am still nutrient deficient because of fuge and skimming.
Have filter sock that i change out every 3 days.
I have slight diatoms in main tank but nothing horrible. Fuge looks funky as S!@#.
Have ceramic media and tried to put pods in.
Only a few here and there.
Have kessil lights max output during cycle is 55% .
Alkalinity? Any suggestions
Salinity?
Ugly fuge section ?
Cocaine wasn't this addictive!!!!! lol!
Thanks.

 

[nereefpat]

I would top off with saltwater until salinity if closer to 35 ppt. This will raise your other parameters, so watch that.
Alk, Mg, Ca all look great.

Fuges are supposed to be ugly, so no worries there. Two months is pretty early to be adding those corals, but all looks well. Nice job so far.

 

[Hecticdude]

Thanks!

 

[bjc451]

I usually subtract the sump volume due to Rock and sand displacement. Just a reminder when you start dosing.

 

[K7BMG]

Yes you need to slowly raise your salinity.

To go from 1.026 down to 1.023 to much fresh water is being added.
So you need to take a close look at that.

Also I have had two Hannas and they were both off from my other two devices.
Milwaukee and an ATC Refractomiter.
I recomed buying a testing standard fluid that works across the board.
When I did this my two units were spot on but both Hannas read low.

 

[2Wheelsonly]

Fuges are the toilets of your tank. Always cracks me up when I see these amazing "display" fuges under the tank that look better than the display itself. You just want to tell them that after 2 years it will be futile if you're doing it right but you just have to let them learn on their own.

 

[Hecticdude]

Yes you need to slowly raise your salinity.

To go from 1.026 down to 1.023 to much fresh water is being added.
So you need to take a close look at that.

Also I have had two Hannas and they were both off from my other two devices.
Milwaukee and an ATC Refractomiter.
I recomed buying a testing standard fluid that works across the board.
When I did this my two units were spot on but both Hannas read low.

I was reading about that happening to other reefers as well.

 

[K7BMG]

Yes, both of them.
Its not an issue as long as you know.
They are consistant just low.

I would guess the OP's salinity is actualy at 1.025.
As both my Hannas are consistantly at .002 lower.
His mileage may vary.

 

[dadnjesse]

I also have the Hanna salinity tester and find it being off compared to my Milwaukee and Vee Gee Refractometer.