Water not improving -nitrates, amonia

API test kits are notoriously unreliable so don't panic. Are there any fish in the tank? High Nitrates could be due to the dieoff from the LR. I would just stick to your normal routine and try a different brand of test kit like Salifert or Red Sea.

 

Yes there is fish. I also have bought a lot of rock over past few weeks from different places as it seems hard to come by here so I have been buying as I find it. Maybe that's what it is.
I will start replacing my API kit as I go starting with the nitrate then amonia as it seems the other test brands you buy a test at a time

 

I agree with your assumption. As you keep putting new LR into your tank your getting more die off. But don't panic! Just keep up with the water changes and it will go away as your bacteria increases.
You could also try Mb7.

 

First off, don't trust those API test kits. I have 20/20 vision and they were completely inaccurate for me. I tested the phosphate test against my newer hanna phosphate checker. The API test said zero - lets just say it wasn't zero. PO4 can also be visually estimated by algae growth. I tested my pH against my new pH probe. The test kit said 8.4 - the pH probe said 8.

Secondly, that level of phosphate is extremely high. You need to first figure out where it is coming from, second, eliminate the source, and third get some GFO or something to get it out of there! It not only feeds algae growth, but inhibits coral growth as well.

Third, the nitrate. How many fish do you have? And what kind? Do you have a skimmer? The live rock seems possible. As a former battler of nitrate, I recommend bigger WC's and more often, and adding more natural bio-filtration. Using chemicals will just complicate your life. Do you have lots of detritus settled to the bottom of your sump? If so, get it out and add more CUC.

 

First off, don't trust those API test kits. I have 20/20 vision and they were completely inaccurate for me. I tested the phosphate test against my newer hanna phosphate checker. The API test said zero - lets just say it wasn't zero. PO4 can also be visually estimated by algae growth. I tested my pH against my new pH probe. The test kit said 8.4 - the pH probe said 8.

Secondly, that level of phosphate is extremely high. You need to first figure out where it is coming from, second, eliminate the source, and third get some GFO or something to get it out of there! It not only feeds algae growth, but inhibits coral growth as well.

Third, the nitrate. How many fish do you have? And what kind? Do you have a skimmer? The live rock seems possible. As a former battler of nitrate, I recommend bigger WC's and more often, and adding more natural bio-filtration. Using chemicals will just complicate your life. Do you have lots of detritus settled to the bottom of your sump? If so, get it out and add more CUC.