Coraline algae growing, cycle getting close
Day 50... I'm getting close to the end of the cycle (I HOPE). I'm mixing some water for a PWC, hoping to get some of the numbers closer to normal. Testing today had these results:
SG - 1.025
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 2.0
Nitrate - 80
Phosphate - 0
Calcium - 360
Carbonate Hardness - 5
pH - 8.0
I've been dosing ammonia to 2.0 every few days and it all disappears by the next day. The Nitrites have been taking 2 - 3 days to disappear. I have added some chaetomorpha to the refugium hoping to bring down the Nitrates. I have also been dosing Purple Up 3 times a week and it seems to be helping the coraline growth. When the water has finished mixing I plan to do a PWC to bring up the Calcium and carbonate numbers and to drop some of the Nitrates.
One thing I have noticed is that my skimmer has really been getting dirty lately. I'm having to clean it twice a week and there is about 1/8" mud in the neck of the cup. I'm not sure if thats from the Purple Up or what.
Anyway, here's pics of the coraline spots that are popping up all over my rocks: