Newb Nitrate Q

I'm sure this question has been asked before and I did attempt to use the search function but to no avail. I have had my tank running for just over 2 months with the below items now in it. All of my water parameters are perfect with the exception of Nitrates which are hovering between 20 and 40 ppm. Is there anything I can do to get these to drop below 5ppm since in the end I would like to turn this into a semi fish reef tank? HELP

 

I was struggling with No3 @ 20ppm for a while, until I found the problem. But its a trial and error process. First of all, I think that you might still be cycling. If not, do you over feed? I found out what was keeping my No3 at 20ppm was that I wasnt cleaning my pre-filter sponges enough. Now my No3 are around 5-10ppm. You might need to get rid of that canister filter and get a refugium instead. Try adding more LR. Sorry I just read the type of filter you have, it that the HOB type?

 

Yes it is the HOB type and I think I may be overfeeding I'll make sure to dial that down a bit. I will as well make sure to clear out my foam filters on my powerheads for frequently. When you say until you found the problem, what was going on with yours?

 

As far as my corals and fish, nothing. My 20ppm wasnt hurting anything but I wanted to lower my No3. I tried everything out there and nothing worked. Until I started to clean out the sponges and filter pads. All of a sudden, 5-10ppm. I wish I'd found out that sooner that way I would have saved myself some money;D

 

Thanks a lot, that should be very helpful, if I know how this whole Karma thing worked I'd give ya some

 

At the bottom left hand corner theres a pic of a scale, click on that.

 

From what I've read anything over 5ppm and you're going to have lots of problems with corals??


Thanks again!

 

Thats not entirely correct. Like I said, I had 20ppm for at least 6 months straight and everything was just fine. IMO, once you pass the 20+ppm thats when you'll start to see the effects. Some corals need No3.