Parameters and general advice on keeping them stable?

[reefnoob88]

Hello and thanks in advance for any advice. I just recently picked up a few new Red Sea Pro test kits and finally got around to trying them out. First ill give my tank specs in case it matters.

Tank=55G column/cube style
Refugium= 20G trigger systems
Power Head= Ecotech MP40
Lighting= Kessil a360WE
Protein Skimmer= Reef Octopus 150SS
Return Pump= Danner Mag pump 5

Fish in the tank

2 very small clown fish
1 rainford goby

Ok so here is my results from my test kits also they didnt have the magnesium test kit but i plan on picking one up.

Ammonia=0 used api on this one
Nitrate=4 ppm
Phosphate=.02 ppm
Alkalinity=7.0 dkh
calcium=450


So anyways im looking for advice on how my tank setup could be improved and if any of my parameters are out of wack how to bring everything in line?

 

[mcgyvr]

Are you keeping on planning on corals?
What salt mix are you using?

I'd highly suggest reading this all and paying attention to the "ranges" there
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/
Then depending on what salt mix you are using its a good idea to stick close to the freshly mixed salt levels so that larger water changes have little to no effect on stability..
Maybe even change up salt mixes if you don't like where yours is and don't want to mess with it (muriatic acid to lower alk,etc..)

When you don't have corals stability isn't nearly as important for the most part.. Not that you shouldn't just shoot for it anyways..

I like to keep my alk around 8.5dKH, cal in the 420ppm range, mag around 1300, salinity at 1.025 temp at 78, nitrate below 10 and phosphates below .08 or so...
No point IMO in measuring ammonia or nitrites in an established tank and I don't care about PH as its usually just fine and not much you should really do to adjust it.. let it be where its going to be..

 

[Ron Reefman]

As usual, mcgyvr has lead you in the proper direction and asked a couple key question.

 

[reefnoob88]

Are you keeping on planning on corals?
What salt mix are you using?

I'd highly suggest reading this all and paying attention to the "ranges" there
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/
Then depending on what salt mix you are using its a good idea to stick close to the freshly mixed salt levels so that larger water changes have little to no effect on stability..
Maybe even change up salt mixes if you don't like where yours is and don't want to mess with it (muriatic acid to lower alk,etc..)

When you don't have corals stability isn't nearly as important for the most part.. Not that you shouldn't just shoot for it anyways..

I like to keep my alk around 8.5dKH, cal in the 420ppm range, mag around 1300, salinity at 1.025 temp at 78, nitrate below 10 and phosphates below .08 or so...
No point IMO in measuring ammonia or nitrites in an established tank and I don't care about PH as its usually just fine and not much you should really do to adjust it.. let it be where its going to be..

Hey thanks for answering my questions! I got the magnesium tester kit today and looks as though im right in the 1300 range. Yes i do intend to keep corals and have a zoanthid frag and montipora frag, both small. My LFS said that since they are so small my water changes are enough to keep happy for at least now. I use Red Sea Coral pro salt mixed by my LFS and do 10% water changes weekly.

I also have three fire scalops, 2 in the sump along with a big red sponge to filter feed. I add live phyto plankton for them to eat. I also have a rose BTA that seems to love my tank. I went to the my LFS today with my test results and he sold me some alkalinity buffer to add and raise my alkalinity to the desired levels. He suggested i start with half a teaspoon and retest tomorrow and evaluate from there. I also got a very small yellow tang and green rock flower anemone. I love how the tank is coming along.