Parameters in check: Corals not happy and nuisance algae

[niQo]

I bought the Red Sea refractometer about 3 years ago I think. I use 1.026 fluid to calibrate it. I do that every time before reading the tank water. I suspect my salinity has been all over the place the last year.

 

[Oshengems]

My issue with my tank after changing my skimmer adding cheato SWITCHING MY LIGHTS!! lol was faulty equipment giving me bad salt readings for a year my tank was at 1.033 gravity

 

[psl123]

I considered that a while back. However, even those are not without complaints either.

A few days ago I re-calibrated both refractometers again and than used some tank water: the Red Sea was now reading higher again. (1.026) So it's gone up 5 pts and the Vertex has been within 1 pt the whole time and the salinity in my system must have been fairly stable with the ATO and very dry skimming.

Every instrument will have errors but at least the errors should be "repeatable" and you will have stability but perhaps not the correct absolute value.

 

[niQo]

My issue with my tank after changing my skimmer adding cheato SWITCHING MY LIGHTS!! lol was faulty equipment giving me bad salt readings for a year my tank was at 1.033 gravity

I wonder if I'm in a similar position. I would be relieved if I finally figured it out!

Every instrument will have errors but at least the errors should be "repeatable" and you will have stability but perhaps not the correct absolute value.

Agreed. The Red Sea refractometer does not seem to qualify!

 

[niQo]

I have used some AquaForest products (ABEV & Phyto Mix) somewhat regularly by simply putting some drops in the tank. Last week I decided to target feed with those same products every other day. This seems to have had a positive effect on some of the corals. Also it seems that the corals that I try to feed some mysis/brine shrimp are doing better than the other corals. Which does make me wonder if it is food/nutrient related.

 

[niQo]

I finally bit the bullet and got an ATI ICP test done. I spend a small fortune in shipping as Canada Post is just back from being on strike and I do not trust their service at the moment.

If anyone has an idea after looking at my ICP test results I would sure appreciate the help! Should I be dosing Iodine and Iron perhaps? Does any of this explains the loss of Acans I had a few weeks back? All the Acans I had have completely died and a Duncan is practically gone. All I have left is Ricordeas, one Wall Hammer and two very small BTAs