[Nate_Bro]

I would be ecstatic to have ran Nitrate 0-5ppm in my last system. This new system I have runs 0-3ppm. I found that anything under 20ppm NO3 dose not bother my acan growth. 0.000ppm NO3 and PO4 are the numbers to shoot for.

thats a big YES on those white growth tips, keep it up!

I also second Geoff on the Alk and Ca, I try and run my Ca between 380-400ppm, and alk about 7dkH 8 at the highest... I have burned my Acros in the past by running Alk too high...

 

[Nate_Bro]

I agree with the phosphate not being 0.000, but I can only read what the test kits can provide.

Thats true...

Also, I believe the reason the alk and calc could be a bit high, was because I was dosing a 2 part somewhat blindly (my ph was a bit low), but the dosing was probably unnecessary (especially before having test kits for alk / calc). After water changes and no additives over the next 2 weeks, I will re-test and see if the Alk drops.

Two parts can get you into trouble

I would first find out why your pH is/was running low. pH can sometimes run low in the summer/winter months due to the house being closed up and having higher then outside levels of CO2... CO2 will lower pH very well, to test and see if this is the case, take a water sample uncovered, shake/stir it well, let it sit for an hour of so, maybe mix it a few times, and then test the pH, if the pH has changed any then its a house CO2 issue. you could get a CO2 scrubber for your skimmer, run a skimmer intake hose outside and bring in fresh air (be very careful of the air you bring in) or you could open up some doors/windows for 10-15min or so, so you can get a good amount of air and CO2 exchange.

I am using IO RC

if your not running a tank full of SPS/LPS/Coraline then regular IO salt mix should do just fine, I have used only regular IO for years now, and if I run low on Ca/Alk I hook up a kalk reactor on my ATO system.

However, can't higher calc help with corraline growth at the beginning with no negative effects on the corals themselves?

Ca is not a limiting factor

I'm going to look for my link to the "Ca is not a limiting factor" thread

this is not the one I am thinking, but can work
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f6/what-is-your-calcium-consumption-91865.html

 

[Nate_Bro]

Just take it slow with lowering the Alk, like Geoff said they like things stable. so make sure they will have time to adjust. I would lower it down 1dkH unit a week, more then that could cause stress. People always say things can be done faster with no ill effects, and a lot of the times its true, you might be able to lower it down all at once, but why take a chance? take things slow, there is no finish line (that I know of) in this hobby...

 

[Nate_Bro]

+1 to Geoff

Mg kit comes in handy just to make sure you are inline.

If I could only have 3 test kits, I think I would have Ca, Alk, and Mg.

I have never owned my own PO4 test kit, and I don't really see myself buying a NO3 test kit in the near future..

But since I use kalk in my ATO system I HAVE to test Ca and ALK, I do have a pH probe, but my corals seem to be a better pH gauge IME.