Water quality recommendations

[mopardwh]

I posted a newbee thread already, but I figured I'd make this one more specific. 250g, purchased and moved last weekend. I tested everything two days after the move and here are the results;

PH 8.0
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 80
Calcium 520
KH 161.1
Phosphate 1.0
Temp 79 fluctuates frequently (Still trying to tune the chiller vs. new heater)
Salininty 1.023


So I realize the nitrates are pretty high. I've done two small water changes, and plan to do more as I continue to clean on it. I also cleaned out the sump, changed the carbon and have 3 sock filters to rotate every few days.

So my question is what other concerns should I have about the water quality and suggestions to fix it. Please and thank you.

 

[bang guy]

The only thing I would do different would be to maintain Calcium a bit lower. It's not a problem but at the higher levels it's slightly less stable. 480 is about as high as I would go but if you're comfortable then, like I said, it's not a problem.

For a 250 gallon your KH is fine but it could go a bit higher with no problem, perhaps up to 175ppm. As long as it's between 125ppm and 200ppm you're good though.

Eventually you need your Phosphate lower. The more delicate corals will have some trouble with Phosphate that high. As your tank matures I'm willing to bet it will drop on it's own. Just monitor it for now.

 

[mopardwh]

Those results were from the 6th. Here are results from just now:
PH 8.2
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0!!
Calcium 520
KH 161.1
Phosphate 1.0
Salinity 1.023
temp 81
I couldn't believe the nitrates went to zero, so I retested. Sure enough, ZERO. Very happy about that

The only thing I would do different would be to maintain Calcium a bit lower. It's not a problem but at the higher levels it's slightly less stable. 480 is about as high as I would go but if you're comfortable then, like I said, it's not a problem.

For a 250 gallon your KH is fine but it could go a bit higher with no problem, perhaps up to 175ppm. As long as it's between 125ppm and 200ppm you're good though.

Eventually you need your Phosphate lower. The more delicate corals will have some trouble with Phosphate that high. As your tank matures I'm willing to bet it will drop on it's own. Just monitor it for now.

I noticed after I bought the tank the po had two bottles of B-Ionic part 1, but no part 2. I had already bought both bottles before they had given me the additional supplies. I guess I won't be using it for a while. I'll work on the phosphate level. Overall I'm really happy with the tank.