Chem Levels

[onecansay]

I need to get some things straight in my head.
My levels.
At this day 06/03/08. 10:30 P.M.
Main tank lights off and fuge on.
Salinity: 1.024 using Sybon refractometer
P.H.: 8.2 -8.4 using my test kit. (API)
Calcium: 450-500 using my test kit. Turned colour as soon as last drop was added. (Red Sea)
Temp: 78F.
KH: 8dKH or 143 KH/GH. (API)
Ammonia, Nitrites @ 0 and Nitrates literally 0. (API)
Phosphates: I may be colour challenged but I read between 0.5 and 1.0 PO4/3.
50 Gallon Main with no substrate, just LR.
23 Gallon Refugium/Sump with protein skimmer.
Lots of water movement (1500 GPH with Koralia Power Heads) AND change (900 GPH).

Question:

What else should I be looking for as far as parameter readings and are my readings even close.

Live rock is over 1 year old, moved from original 29 gallon tank to this configuration 4 weeks ago.

Lots of new things growing!!

Original sand from 29 gallon in fuge with 2 mangrove plants and some of that wiry stringy stuff that is supposed to eat the nitrates if you know what I mean.

Any suggestions. I do not know my MG as I still need to get a kit.

thanx in advance to all>

[reef_guru]

nsw salinity is 1.026
dkH or meq/L is used not KH/GH
the wiry stringy stuff is Chaetomorpha nickname speghetti algae
Ca 450-500 is a wide range you might want to try a different test kit like salifert to get a better #
if Ca is 500 then dKH should be 20
if Ca is 450 then dKH should be 13
so based off of that imop you test kits are off and you need a more precise kit, again salifert
testing Mg is a must, if your gonna house sps then Sr is going to need testing also

what are your lights?

[onecansay]

Thanx for the reply.
Lightning:
4-39 watt T5 HO 18k and 2-39 watt T5 Actinic in main tank. On 12.5 hours a day.
1-24 watt T5 HO 18k and 1-24 watt T5 Actinic in Refugium.
On opposite of main tank.

[Otty]

Originally Posted by reef_guru

testing Mg is a must, if your gonna house sps then Sr is going to need testing

Amen