Best way to lower nitrates

I have a 20long my ammonia is at 0, nitrites at 0, but my nitrates are running up about 40ppm. I'm running purigen and chemipure elite in media basket and have been doing 20% weekly waterchanges. I'm feeding very lightly have a full cleanup crew in there along with 1 ywg, for corals I have Xenia, gsp, and a Kenya tree. Everything looks happy in tank fish eating good corals open up great and tank is very clean looking. I'm testing with a API kit and wandering if I need to try a different brand because have hear they can be inaccurate if it is correct what do I need to do to lower it on down I'm considering a skimmer or even some decorative macro algae in dt. Any ideas would be helpful.

 

I would for sure try a different test kit.

Your soft corals look great, I am not surprised. Stony corals on the other hand might not do so well with that nitrate level long term.

Have you tried any macro algae for exporting the nutrients?

 

Oh yeah have only used 0 tds ro/do sw in this tank also.

 

if your going to the lfs to get a new test kit, you might want to take a sample and have them check it. jmo

 

If you run any almost any type of macro algae in the tank, you'll have to get rid of the clean up crew.
What kind of water are you using for the water changes, and have you tested that as well?

 

Another potential solution is adding live rock to either the display or sump.

Also, look for areas of detritus build up. Usually adding a small power head in those areas will ensure detritus stays in the water column, where is can be removed from the water by skimming, filter floss or even hungry corals.

 

Nothing but 0 tds water has been added to tank so far.