Parameter check for 13 Gallon Nano

DrummerWithFish111 · May 31, 2022

Now that my tank has been stable on parameters for awhile, I went out yesterday and got a branch of GSP to start my reef tank, nothing too expensive in case it didn't do well.
It must be real mad at my tank, because it has not opened yet.
Parameters:
pH: 7.8
Nitrate: 8
KH: 11.5-12
Ca: 440
Mg: 1440
Salinity: 33 PPT (1.025)

Is my alkalinity to high? Or maybe I just have not found THE spot for this little dude. I'll be out today, so if I need to grab something from the LFS I can.

\m/reefsnmetal\m/ · May 31, 2022

GSP is a very resilient coral and I don't see anything wrong with the parameters you posted. Phosphate and temp could be making it mad but that's just a guess based on the absence of those parameters in the post. If you didn't acclimate it and just tossed it in it could be in shock.

DrummerWithFish111 · May 31, 2022

Ahh, okay!
Temp is at 78 degrees, and phosphate (according to the API liquid test chart), it was the color halfway in between 0 and 0.25, which I assume is bad?

Update: some of the polyps are opening up now. I acclimated it for 45 minutes yesterday, dipped with RedSea DipX, rinsed and placed in the tank.

\m/reefsnmetal\m/ · May 31, 2022

I'm sure it will be fine. Hard to say with the API test, with the margin of error your phosphates could be too low or just right. But it sounds like you did everything right.

DrummerWithFish111 · May 31, 2022

It must be getting used to things now, it is slowly opening up. I also added a small powerhead so there is more current headed towards it. I would have grabbed the Aquaforest test kit, but my LFS had the API in stock. The only test I think it phony with it is the phosphate test. Water changing today as well, so we'll see what the progression is.