New Tank Build and General Inquiry

[vcomreefer]

Hey y'all new poster here. Decided to document progress and ask a few basic questions (maybe more just for my own journey). Here's an intro to my build. Been up roughly 1.5 months now. 55G Innovative Marine INT.

Equipment:
55G IM INT w/ sump including filter sock filtration
Red Sea 110 INT skimmer
IM helio smart heater
ATO (honestly can't remember name) + 5G ATO reservoir
2x Gen 6 radion 15
Apex control system (no neptune)
MightyJet DC return pump
Reefwave 25

Stocking:
2 ocellaris clowns
1 carpenters wrasse
1 tomini tang
6 assorted snails/hermit crabs

Parameters:
Nitrate 0
Phosphate 0.07
Ammonia 0
Ca 440
Alk 9.01
pH 7.7-7.9 (seems to be something I struggle with)
Temperature 78F
Mag (waiting on salifert testing)

At this point I am looking for any stocking suggestions and how to get pH up. I'd like another one or two colorful fish to add and maybe another shrimp. As far as pH goes, I know kalkwasser can be great, I am just very limited for space underneath the stand. I also buy my saltwater and RODI from LFS. So it complicates a little more.

I am also planning on adding a small chaeto section in the sump solely for pod population.

 

[mjgonereefing]

I personally wouldn’t even bother trying to chase your PH at this point. Your tank looks great why change something that doesn’t need changing? If you stock more corals and notice they are not growing as fast as you would like and still have your same PH (which is not bad) then start doing stuff. If it were me I would try to raise nitrates.

 

[TarheelGrey]

For fish color, Royal Gramma would be one of my first choices. Easy fish, good community member once they get comfortable in the tank. Goes well with your current stock.

As for your Ph question. Is your Ph low because your LFS water has lower Ph than you want or is something in your tank lowering your Ph? If your LFS water is Ph low, you can use either Sodium Bicarb or Soda Ash to raise your water source before it goes into the tank. (Depending if you want to raise your Alk with it. With a 9 Alk, probably not, so you would use Sodium Bicarb) If its something in your tank, your planned Chaeto might stabilize things so you can see where your natural point is to figure out if you need to dose.

 

[1112-425XL]

You could try a simple air stone to raise your ph a little, but it's probably not a big deal. A couple of Blue Green Chromis might add some color.

 

[Northern Flicker]

Great shots - are you into photography?

I like @TarheelGrey 's suggestion of a Royal Gramma. I am also a fan of Court Jester Gobies. I, personally, like Damsels as well, but they come with some risk...some species will give you a higher probability of a nice friendly one.

Similar to what @1112-425XL has mentioned, I was having pH fluctuations in my tank as well, and added an oxygenator in the form of a nano skimmer. My pH is stable now. I am not sure how much it even affected the livestock, but it gave me peace of mind.