I received a 29 gallon tank for christmas and have decided it is time to finally have my dream and own a salt water tank. I have been doing a lot of reading but still have some questions. I have a protein skimmer (Oceanic Biocube 14,29); Aqueon Power Filter 20 and Aqueon Circulation pump 500. I have used live sand and tested the water with everything perfect. I next added live rock (17lbs) and now my pH is low 8.0, Nitrate 40ppm and PHosphate 0.25 and specific gravity 1.027. I decided I needed to do some water exchange 2 gallons and replaced with distilled water - no salt additive. Is there anything else I need to be doing? I would like to add a fish soon if possible but I am concerned with the Nitrate Level being high and specific gravity elevated.
