THANKS EVERYONE..! So Im working on bringing it back down...ph 8.0- ammonia 0- nitrite 0- nitrate 80- calcium 400 and salinity 1.024 - I didnt have stuff to check anything else if there is anything else to check...I added some smart start complete which is suppose to help level out the nitrates and ph buffer too...I will do a water change again tomorrow and yes I run a skimmer and its always black water...is the bad that its black> I just got the skimmer about 3 months ago because my other one broke and I knew I needed one soon cause I had been running system without for almost 6 months however I had to wait for my taxes...this single momma doesnt make much as a preschool teacher :/ maybe I picked an expensive hobby but I LOVE MY TANK and It has been doing fine for a little over 3 yrs with low maintenance...Im so grateful for this website and Im grateful for all of you