Just checked for the first time in a while. NUVO 10 w/ minimal livestock at the moment. I use a media basket w/ filter floss (changed every 1-3 days) and ROX carbon (changed weekly). Been doing about 2.5-3gal water changes weekly with Fritz RPM blue (roughly 30%).
Levels as of today, 6/12/2023:
Salinity: 34.9 ppt (Hanna Salinity Tester)
Temp: 76.77 - 78, average 77.32 (apex data as of this past week, heater turns on @ 76.8 and off @ 77.2, I've been gradually decreasing the tank temp hence the larger than normal swing. Temp is cross referenced with Hanna Salinity Tester)
pH: 7.73 - 8.22, average 8 (apex data as of this past week, though the probe has gone a few months without calibration. Low values are at night when I am sleeping in the room with windows closed, huge buildup of CO2. Nights when I am gone the low value only hits 7.9, and last night with the window open it only hit 7.99)
Nitrate: 4.36 ppm (Hanna LR Checker)
Phosphate: 0.04 ppm (Hanna ULR Checker)
Alkalinity: 6.9 dKH (Salifert)
Magnesium: 1600 ppm (RedSea)
Calcium: 390 ppm (RedSea)
Daily Dosing: 8 mL limewater (just hooked up the doser, going to bump this up a bit)
My thoughts: I would definitely like to increase the alkalinity and calcium a bit. If I had to pick a number, I would shoot for 8.4 dKH and 420 ppm calcium. I do believe consistent numbers are better than chasing, but I would like to increase alk for pH buffering. Calcium is less important but I've got the time and supplements so why not lol. I had been doing small daily doses of RedSea's A, B, and C components because I figured they were on the low side, but I didn't realize how high the magnesium was so I'll definitely cut that. Ideally the limewater will meet the calcium and alkalinity demands. Phosphate I'm fine with, and I might try to get the nitrate down a bit but I'm definitely not stressing over these numbers.