im starting to get discouraged. Over the last week ive slowly lost some acros to stn. Ive tested my levels and cal wss at 450 alk 10 mag 1300 nitrate between 5 and 10 and phosphates at barly readable on the chart. I do 2g water changes have the radion run 8hrs a day max intensity 25% but only for 3hrs daily. They stn from the base up. Mp10 for flow reefcrest only on the 3rd light 10# live rock in a 7.5 flat back hex. Salinity is 1.025 temp is 77-78 controlled by my apex added my ato today incase its salinity swings said:
In a tank that small evaporation could definitely cause salinity swings. I started with a 14g Biocube and the ATO made a huge difference. With 10 pounds of rock in a 7.5g tank I'd imagine you probably have more like 5g of actual water. You might start doing 1g water changes (or less) and a little more frequently to get the nitrates down closer to 0. Unless you know the temp and pH of the new water matches exactly what you're taking out a 2g change could be quite a difference. Or do the change very slowly. I did a lot of my water changes on my Biocube (10g actual water volume) using a 44oz plastic cup I brought home from a fast food place. I'd just move the ATO line to my new salt water bucket, then scoop out a cup of water and let the ATO slowly fill it back up.
