Check My Routine (caution, long post)

[Mackinback]

So I'm trying to see how well my routine is..
I could spend hours researching each part here. So I figured I'd post what exactly I am doing.

I've got a 9gal mini-reef with 2 clown, 1 goby, urchin and 2 snails (and random snail babies)..
I've got a handful of frags. Nothing has really taken yet. and I am ok with that as I plan to upgrade soon and may start over with new LR.. I've got a bit of an outbreak of colonial hydroids which I have not addressed yet.. Also seem to be having ball nems popping up all over (I guess I am overfeeding a bit) and the average of 3ish aiptasia going at a time(I wait till they are sizable to kill with aiptasia x.
I got back from a 2 week work trip. So water got a little bad during my absence.
My last readings were (10/28)

API Master test
PH - 8.3
Ammonia - 0
NO3 - 60
NO2 - 0
Cal - 500
Salnity - 1.030
PO4 -3 (highest yet)

RedSea foundation test (recently purchased, only 1 test)
Cal - Off chart
KH - 11.8
MG - 1800
I believe these to be high? I only add salt & SeaChem Fuel


I use distilled water and RedSea Coral Pro salt
I try to feed coral 2x a week. One feed is oyster feed and the 2nd is reef roids.
I have a mix of coral, but I am terrible with the types. I'd be better posting pics.
But the look of them vary daily.. I'd say it's 60% open and full and 40% not very happy.
A couple of them seem unhappy since my trip.
Here is might. Not sure the brand. But will upgrade this. AQ 100 in the back.

some of my colonial hydroid infestation. I heard using putty and covering it for awhile does the trick? What putty to use?

Here is some of the coral in question for health..

This guy would usually have a few super long tentacles. Have not seen in awhile

And lastly, I notice these sort of worm structures here and there. What is it?

Sorry about the 1,000 questions. But I think I included everything except the kitchen sink! (though you can see a bit of it in one picture.. lol)
I don't think I'm the worst caretaker ever, but I'm sure there's a few things I can do to better my own personal ocean oasis.

Off to go test the water and do a WC.
So how am I doing? What can I change?

Thanks,
MacK

 

[fish farmer]

Is that S.G. reading correct? 1.030? I would get that down to around 1.024 to 1.026. That could be one stressor.

KH 11.8 could be causing some stress as well. When my DKH was over 10, some of my stuff didn't care for it(favias).

PO4 and NO3, are high, I'm suprised you don't have an algae problem. My PO4 was running around 2ppm and NO3 at 40ppm and I'm hesitating to add more sensitive corals to my system until I get those under control.

 

[SPR1968]

Hi Mack and welcome to R2R!

The Red Sea Coral Pro mixes to higher foundation element levels, including alkalinity, magnesium and calcium, as it’s designed for various things including accelerated coral growth so no surprise there. There’s nothing wrong with that, and I ran higher levels for around 12 months with great success.

Your salinity is to high and should be around 1.026 (35ppm) but you can bring them all down by doing basic water changes, but just try and do it slowly to avoid shocking the corals.

Phosphate is very high at 3 (should be around 0.03ppm) nitrate also but again you can bring all of the readings down by water changes in your size system.

Just remember your a ‘water keeper’ and if you keep the parameters under control and stable, you should do well. Stability is the key rather than the numbers, as marine systems don’t like quick changes as they can’t cope with it.

A bit of a starting guide and I’m sure the other guys on here will chip in.

Also see this article:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/o...-reef-aquarium-by-randy-holmes-farley.173563/

 

[Mackinback]

Hey thanks for the replies. Yeah this test was pre-water change, which I followed up with a 50% change. Salinity is currently at 1.028 and I made sure it was 1.026 after water changes. The new water added is 1.025 when I add, then I add unsalted water to even it out where I need it.
And I was thinking the Coral pro was the culprit to the higher levels. I wonder if I should switch to something lighter then since it's a nano?
And I will focus on WC's and see if I can get those numbers under control.
Here is some of my thriving coral.. (note that algae came with the coral.. Can't rid it). And it has even taken root to the LR.

Here is a sponge that came about. From what I've read it's a good filter.

Also wanted to note it seems my sand worm has grown some.. what the heck?