 Can anyone help me with my readings?
Here are my current water readings:
SG = 1.027
Calcium = 500 ppm
KH = 5.8
Alkalinity = 2.06
Nitrates = <approx> 50 ppm
I have a couple questions. My KH and Alk are low. How do I raise those values?
My nitrates are high and continue to be after several water changes, using RO/DI water (and tested before adding). They usually drop down after the change but then shoot back up and hover around the 40 to 60 range - don't usually get much higher than that (if ever). I've tried just about everything I know of - cleaned, changed filters, water changes, less feedings and so on. Only thing I can think of is that I have had about 1 snail being killed or dying about once a week (I have a killer zebra looking hermit crab - who, as soon as I get it up and going, is going in my quarantine tank - had a nasty accident with the last one). I wouldn't assume a single snail that is mostly consumed by the other crabs and shrimp would cause much if any change. The only thing I thought about was removing the bio balls I have, but have heard mixed reviews.
Can anyone help with these 2 questions? Thanks in advance!!
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55 gal glass tank, 2 power heads, wet/dry filter, protein skimmer, 50 lbs live rock, pair of tomato clowns, 1 royal gramma, 1 coral beauty angel, 1 six line wrasse, 1 peppermint shrimp, 1 skunk cleaner shrimp, 12 assorted snails (astrea/turbo), 15 assorted hermit crabs, green bubble tip anemone, red mushrooms, yellow polyps, 1 green leather, green star polyps, yellow toadstool | 
