My first FOWLR to Reef

[jsell]

Hey All!

I'm having some problems with coraline algae growth in switching over my tank from a FOWLR to a full reef.

First my Setup

55g standard tank
75 lbs of precured Fiji (i think) Live Rock
4x 65 watt PC lighting (2x 12000k 2x True Atenic)
Proclear Pro 75 Skimmer/Wet/Dry (i tested it to about 280 Gph)
a seperate Maxi Jet 1200 for circulation

Yesterday's water tests

Temp 81.2 F
Salinity 1.022
Ph 7.89
Alkalinity 10 (kh)
Calcium 460 PPM
Nitrate 20-40 PPM (that's as accurate as my current test gets)
Phosphate .25-.50 PPM
Nitrite undetectable
ammonia undetectable
O2 2-5 mg/l

i am supplementing with Kent Marines TECH CB to try to balance out PH, Kh and calcium but no matter how i change the dosage the Ph will not rise past 7.9 ish but the calcium and Kh continue to rise. this is causeing almost no coraline algae to grow.

I think my problem is the nitrates are Causeing the a lower O2 level and higher CO2 level which is continually draggin the PH down? Am i Correct in that assumption?

I have very little room for antyhing aditional around this tank like a requim ad no room for mangroves in the filter in this situation would it be wise to build a coil denitrator or invest in a commecial unit?

anyway any suggestions would be much appriciated

--jsell

[Matt Rogers]

I've recommended SeaChem Marine Buffer in the past for pH. It worked for me. Also, your salt mix makes a difference. For instance I had pH troubles with Coralife salt.

[Otty]

What does your Magnesium test at??
Chemistry and the Aquarium
Read this article and see how these chemicals effect each other. Take your time coraline doesn't grow over night, it takes time.

[Matt Rogers]

Good one Otty. Mag does make quite a difference.

[jsell]

thanks for the advice guys looked all day yesterday and I can't seem to find a magnesium Test close to home, but the two LFS' near my house are really Freshwater Specilized i'll have to make a trip down to a more saltwater friendly store as sson as i can get some time away from work.

I am using Oceanic Brand Sea salt which claims to have a seawater level of magnesium but it's possible this is a leftover problem of using premixed slatwater which is what i used for over a year in this tank as a FOWLR.