Help me analyze my water parameters

[wheresmypistolshrimp]

I am so excited to have finally purchased a full set of Hanna checkers to test my reef tank. I have a Red Sea Reefer 350 which holds about 90 gallons of water. I have a skimmer, two small media bags with rowaphos and carbon, and a nice bundle of chaeto under grow lights.Last temp was 76.8. I checked all my water parameters using Hanna and was shocked at how different some of my values are and honestly not sure what to make of them, of course they are more accurate than the API tests I was previously using. I have several fish in the tank, and as far as corals go, I have SPS encrusting on live rock, 2 torches, 2 RBTA, candy canes, xenias, acans, and duncans. I guess my goal is to keep a mixed reef and plan to add more torches and frogspawn. The tank has now been established for over a year, all fish and coral look healthy with the occasional brown-looking diatom sand. Should I be worried about my low phos/nitrates and KH? I feel like I am a heavy feeder. I have previously tried dosing Kalkwasser manually but did not like the process of dosing from my ATO as things would get messy. Let me know what you guys think about my parameters and if I should start dosing, if so suggestions. I do have a dosing pump but have not set up as I initially didnt think I needed it. SInce KH since to be my main issue, should I dose baking soda?

Hanna checker results (I followed instructions closely and watched multiple youtube videos on proper measurement and testing of Hanna checkers)
KH= 7.5
Nitrate= 1.20
Phosphate= 0.01
Calcium= 468
Magnesium= 1400

API Results (have wide scale and these are the results that matched the colors)
pH=8.0
Nitrate= 10
Phosphate= 0.25

 

[vetteguy53081]

I am so excited to have finally purchased a full set of Hanna checkers to test my reef tank. I have a Red Sea Reefer 350 which holds about 90 gallons of water. I have a skimmer, two small media bags with rowaphos and carbon, and a nice bundle of chaeto under grow lights.Last temp was 76.8. I checked all my water parameters using Hanna and was shocked at how different some of my values are and honestly not sure what to make of them, of course they are more accurate than the API tests I was previously using. I have several fish in the tank, and as far as corals go, I have SPS encrusting on live rock, 2 torches, 2 RBTA, candy canes, xenias, acans, and duncans. I guess my goal is to keep a mixed reef and plan to add more torches and frogspawn. The tank has now been established for over a year, all fish and coral look healthy with the occasional brown-looking diatom sand. Should I be worried about my low phos/nitrates and KH? I feel like I am a heavy feeder. I have previously tried dosing Kalkwasser manually but did not like the process of dosing from my ATO as things would get messy. Let me know what you guys think about my parameters and if I should start dosing, if so suggestions. I do have a dosing pump but have not set up as I initially didnt think I needed it. SInce KH since to be my main issue, should I dose baking soda?

Hanna checker results (I followed instructions closely and watched multiple youtube videos on proper measurement and testing of Hanna checkers)
KH= 7.5
Nitrate= 1.20
Phosphate= 0.01
Calcium= 468
Magnesium= 1400

API Results (have wide scale and these are the results that matched the colors)
pH=8.0
Nitrate= 10
Phosphate= 0.25

I have no faith in api and have a reliable LFS that does Not use API test kits test for you and see what readings they come up with and to compare with yours
Your readings indicate very high phosphate, on the api
I more trust Hanna numbers

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd personally feed a bit more to get nitrate and phosphate a bit higher.

I personally recommend 2-10 ppm nitrate and 0.03 to 0.1 ppm phosphate, with above that range better than below it.

Alk, Ca and Mg are all fine.

 

[wheresmypistolshrimp]

Thank you for all the feedback. Should I remove rowaphos and chaeto? Maybe I’ll start with rowaphos and see how things change.

what about my dKH?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thank you for all the feedback. Should I remove rowaphos and chaeto? Maybe I’ll start with rowaphos and see how things change.

what about my dKH?

I said the alk (short for alkalinity) is fine. dKH is a unit of measure, so your question is akin to asking "what about my centimeters?.

Yes, remove the GFO. I'd keep the chaeto but feed more or light less time, or both.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

What @Randy Holmes-Farley said sounds great