I'm new

No...they would sell the test kits tho....if you dont have a locally owned reliable fish store, i would say go buy ur own API Test Kit from petsmart...DO NOT BUY THE CRAPPY STRIPS.

 

Here are some photos of the setup.

Here are some photos of my tank setup. There is a protein skimmer, the filter has bio balls, How do I find out what type of lighting it is? Also there are 2 powerheads.

 

I know that the Petco here does free tests. I take my water down there every once in awhile just to double check my test strips.

 

I second that..

you should check your water parameters yourself.. with your own LIQUID.. test kit... Test strips are not reliable at all....

another thing, do you have an RO/DI?

 

what is an RO/DI

 

Petco

I just called Petco locally. I'm going over right now for testing.

 

Welcome to 3reef. RO/DI is a reverse osmosis deionization unit which basically makes tap water really pure from any metals and silicates and all that fun stuff lol; its good because you dont get algae in all colors of the rainbow and the water is phosphate free ;D

 

its a stage filter ( reverse osmosis)..
it purifies your water and rids it from bad stuff like phosphates.

 

Looking at the sump images the first thing to mind is a Slushie machine .

 

usually petco uses test strips and the result is most of the times your tank is fine even though it may not be. i would not rely on petco for testing the water. clearly you have an issue either with your lights or with nitrates to have this amount of bacteria on your sand bed.
about your light fixture post a photo of it here and it is easy to identify. most probably you need to change the bulbs.
i don't see a skimmer in your wet-dry sump. is your skimmer hang on back? the set up seems not to be bad but it will not take care of itself. wet/dry filters as i hear can cause nitrate problems if not taken care of.