New to BRS w/questions about reef keeping

[aiaman]

I am new to BRS & 2 yrs into the hobby
My concern is that my corals don't seem to grow at the pace I think they should
Maybe I am too anxious but I have a few questions
I do not test, anymore (usually bring sample to LFS)
used dip-stick test prior

My parameters:
specific gravity 1.023-1.024
I have lots of coraline everywhere
fish are doing great! clownfish is new (2 wks) & feeding anemone (skipton pet)
everyone seems compatible

My concerns;
yellow polyps fully extended but not growing
green ricordia slow to growth
plate coral happy w/specific feeding of cyclopeez (hopefully this is spelled correctly)
testing always shows amonia, nitrites low and PH neutral from more live rock/sand than needed

Questions;
What & how should I test parameters?
I use an in-tank meter for specific gravity
What should I drive for?
I want to grow mostly corals & have some fish for movement
I have:
36g bowfront corner tank
Sundial T5 HO (2 actinic - 2 10k)
2 koralia
Tunze skimmer
Rena 2 stage filter, w/purigen
30lbs live sand, 30 lbs live rock
green hammer coral, toadstool coral, ricordia, frogsawn, large BTA, sand & sea sift cuc's, royal gamma, green chromis, yellow coris, damsels, black footed clownfish, turbos & few hermits

any help would be appreciated

 

[Behrmon]

Do you know what your Alk, Ca and Mg levels are?
How much Ammonia?
Can you be more specific on your PH?
Do you use RO?
What other fish do you have?

 

[aiaman]

sorry, but on the tester I used -all it gave was a range
I guess I should be testing for 'Alk, Ca and Mg levels', but what with?
Can you make a reccomendation?
that's probably my issue, not knowing those results

The tester also was not that accurate with anything, you know the type, colored bars with ranges
It's hard to know exactly what anything really is

That is why I am asking the question
I see so many different test models on the market and don't want to be a scientist nor spend cash unneeded

RO, no. I replace 10-20% of my water every 2 weeks
I sit a 5 gal bucket from the tap with Tropical Marine Reef salt the right after I make the change and let it sit for 2 weeks before I use
I warm the water with a temp probe to 74*F and then gradually make the swap w/drip tube

I do not have a sump either, no place for one
as for fish, all that I stated is all that I have;
1 - royal gamma, 1-green chromis, 1-yellow coris, 3-damsels, 1-black footed clownfish, 1-BTA

all I know is what I have read and heard from the LFS (I know, really limited exposure)
that is why I am joing BRS, for your expert advice, thx

 

[Behrmon]

As for test kits, Elos IMO are the best but costly, API is also decent. Your LFS might also do these tests for you for a few bucks each. Tap water is often a huge factor in tank failures, most LFS's sell RO water for about .50 per gal.

Welcome to the club.

 

[Reefried]

....Hi and Welcome to BRS.....and yeah rodi water is a good place to start, that will also help to lower your nitrate........so how long has the tank been set up??.....it seems like you have a nice set-up with the right amount of live rock, and a nice skimmer, the purigen helps too.........how many watts is your light??

 

[aiaman]

I have had my tank since Jan 2009
lighting is 24w x 4 (Sundial T5HO)
2 actinic & 2-10k
I have a photo on my profile if curious

 

[aiaman]

I just bought (internet) the API reef master and the additional, amonia, PH & Magnesium tests
I will provide test results when the tests arrive

 

[jtmac]

high phosphates will also slow coral growth. If your not using RODI water then I would start that will help to elimanate your phoshates