How's my numbers?

I'm very familiar with freshwater tank parameters but still trying to figure out SW ones. I've got the API SW test kit and reef test kit and here's the numbers I've come up with. This is a 4-6 month old tank I bought used, and swapped all the livestock.

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
pH 7.8 (been stable at that for a few days)
Calcium 520
KH 9
Phosphate 0.25

I realize the phosphates could cause algae issues but otherwise my understanding is everything else is ok, right?

I've currently got two fish and a decent clean up crew but I'd really like to add coral in the future. Am I on the right track to add some soft corals soon?

 

pH is a bit low...I like to see at least 8.0, preferably a bit higher (up to 8.3).
Ca is a bit high...shoot for 475 ppm.

 

Your on the right track from seeing most others numbers. +1

 

Ok, I'm still doing lots of reading but how do you suggest I get the calcium lower and the pH higher?

 

Here's one of the best articles out there; give this a thorough read when you have time:
Reef Aquarium Water Parameters by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

Evolved, thanks for the link. I've done some reading on his site before and there's a lot of knowledge. So what I've learned is my calcium is high but having it high doesn't affect much negatively and there's no real way to lower it (at least as I understand). As far as pH goes it all depends on the test kit, the time of day, and the person reading the tester. It sounds like I may need a digital meter in the future but as of now I'm still in the safe zone. I've been testing my pH first thing in the morning when it's apparently at it's lowest so I'm not terribly worried. As far as the phosphate I'm trying to work on bringing that down. I'm going to try some Phosban and see how it works. In the future I'll build a fuge with cheato but it's not in the current process.

I've also got a great book I'm reading so hopefully I succeed. I'm one of those people that learns a TON about something and gets hyperfocused to make it happen. Thanks so far and expect more questions.

 

Yup, sounds like you have the correct understandings.

I would add the importance of testing and knowing what you magnesium level is; making sure that is correct first will help with correcting calcium or alk (if needed).

 

I would say based on those numbers and obviously all of the research you've done, that you are good to go with soft corals as long as you have the lighting needed to support them. Welcome to the realm of salt. I think the biggest difference I've found between salt and fresh is MONEY Obviously, I'm kidding but that is a difference! You definitely apply what you've learned in freshwater to the changeover because you already have a lot of skills with keeping fish in general.

 

Oh the money part is definately true. I got a used nano cube with seemingly everything. Then I get it home and have spent a few hundred dollars over the past two weeks on lots of little essentials. The previous owner knew little to nothing about fish keeping let alone salt. They lost a few fish (during the cycle) and didn't understand why. So far I've been testing everything daily and it's staying stable. Really the last thing I'm waiting for that I feel is "important" is some calibration solution for my used refractometer. I'm not satisfied with the hydrometer that came with the tank. Somewhat surprisingly the LFS who has a very nice SW section uses a hydrometer for testing their home made saltwater. I get a BIG discrepancy between the refractometer and the hydrometer so I know one of them is way off.

I tested my pH late tonight and it was at 8.0. I'll look into a magnesium test kit now also. The list keeps going.