Tank progression numbers over 2 months.

[Homer Allman]

Here are some test numbers I have got the first two months from my tank. Please tell me where my tank is going and what I should start doing. I have not added anything as far as chemicals. I have 300 lbs of black sand or whatever it is and 120 lbs of live rock in a 300 gallon with 100 gallon refuge/sump. I have 6 fish and 7 corals, 5 being SPS the other two are a leather mushroom and some polyps. The live rock came from a tank set up for 1 year, so it was cured. It's growing some nice patches of purple coraline algae now. Anyways I have only tested phosphates, alkalinity and calcium. All with Hanna meters. Please tell me how yoo think things are going and what I should do next. Thank you for your time.

1st

ph 7.8
temp 77
calcium 507
Alk 179 ppm
phos 0.03


2nd

ph 7.9
temp 77
calcium 508
alk 173
phos .10

3rd

ph 7.8
temp 76
calcium 515
alk 155
phos .04

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

IMO, those numbers seem fine and I don't see a need to dose anything.

The demand for calcium and alkalinity is low enough that water changes (if any) are keeping up.

If the alk drops less than about 135 ppm calcium carbonate equivalents, I'd look to start dosing it and possible calcium, depending on what you chose to use to dose.

 

[Homer Allman]

thank you

I haven't done any water changes, except a minor leak and a skimmer overflow. I do add about 1 gallon a day of RO/DI water for evaporation. I will add some macro to the fuge in the next month.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That sounds like a fine plan.