Are these parameters good or bad

[Jonathanw1234]

I have a Fluval 13.5 tank currently with 1 clown fish 1 YW Goby and a pistol shrimp and have 14 corals
I just got a calcium and magnesium test kit and my tank has been running for roughly 6-7 months and my parameters are

Salinity 1.026
Nitrate 13ppm
Calcium 310
Magnesium 1350
Phosphate 0.15
Alkilinety 7.5 dkh

I have been experiencing in my opinion poor coral growth here are 2 pictures 5-6 months apart

 

[twentyleagues]

Calcium is low, alk is ok but personally I like mine above 8. Everything else looks good. Any idea of ph, and par?

What salt do you use?

 

[Jonathanw1234]

Calcium is low, alk is ok but personally I like mine above 8. Everything else looks good. Any idea of ph, and par?

What salt do you use?

I am using the regular instant ocean salt mix but I was thinking about using reef crystals because I am running out

 

[Jonathanw1234]

I am using the regular instant ocean salt mix but I was thinking about using reef crystals because I am running out

I don't know the par throughout the tank and I only have an API test kit for PH which reads 8

 

[twentyleagues]

I am using the regular instant ocean salt mix but I was thinking about using reef crystals because I am running out

How much water do you change and how often? RC will bump your parameter up for sure if wc is adequate.

 

[Jonathanw1234]

How much water do you change and how often? RC will bump your parameter up for sure if wc is adequate.

I change 3 gallons every other week
roughly 22% water change biweekly

 

[twentyleagues]

I change 3 gallons every other week
roughly 22% water change biweekly

I would switch to rc and do a 1-2g change weekly to get your numbers up slowly. If you are not dosing anything (you shouldnt need to) you may need to do more regular wc to keep parameters up.

 

[Jonathanw1234]

I would switch to rc and do a 1-2g change weekly to get your numbers up slowly. If you are not dosing anything (you shouldnt need to) you may need to do more regular wc to keep parameters up.

alright thank you for your help.

 

[twentyleagues]

alright thank you for your help.

Just check parameters after the switch. 1g shouldnt change them much at least not a detrimental change. You may need to do a few 1g changes in the begining and then a weekly 2-3g should keep it a little more stable. When I came back I had a 30g stocked it pretty quick with a lot of lps. Weekly wc of 7-8g was good to keep parameters in the green. I had good growth too.

 

[Jonathanw1234]

Just check parameters after the switch. 1g shouldnt change them much at least not a detrimental change. You may need to do a few 1g changes in the begining and then a weekly 2-3g should keep it a little more stable. When I came back I had a 30g stocked it pretty quick with a lot of lps. Weekly wc of 7-8g was good to keep parameters in the green. I had good growth too.

Ok will do