Confused about feeding

Currently I have a nitrate level of 40 ppm. I know a lot of things contribute to that including over feeding. Although I don't think I'm over feeding, I think I may be under feeding. I have an angel so I put algae sheets on a rock with a rubber band so it can pick. I've noticed my clown fish are starting to pick at it as well. Is that a sign of hunger?

I'm back to feeding every other day b/c of the high nitrate level but I feel the little buggers are hungry. I either thaw one frozen cube of brine shrimp, blood worms, or ON formula one to keep em on their toes.

Also my buddy told me to thaw a variety of food in a container then just squeeze it in with a turkey baster. I tried it but I feel things spoiled, is that a good practice?

 

Give us some of your system parameters. From your sig your system doesn't seem over crowded, if that's up to date that is. What kind of filtration are you running and what media do you use if any. Also, what kind of water changes do you do and how often?

On the turkey baster method, I tend to do that myself . But you should only mix enough food for a feeding or two. For how many fish you currently have It may be just a waste of time.

The clown eating the nori is not a sign of hunger. They are perfectly fine eating nori.

 

The sig is up to date. I changed 20 gallons on Saturday night along with the filters on my penguin 350. I have a Coralife Super skimmer 125 and I'm not exactly sure what media is. When I tested my levels Sunday morning this is what I got:
pH: 0
NO2: 0 ppm
NO3: 40 ppm
Ammonia: 0

My regular water changes is 10 gallons every week or so, depending on my schedule. I moved my tank on the 9th so I got a little behind with moving in to the new apt and everything.

 

Also my CuC is not up to par, that's for sure. I'm gonna order one from blue zoo aquatics b/c I know that can help but I'm worried with that nitrate level

 

Are you using the bio wheel on the penguin?

 

is that the grey rolling things?

 

Is the penguin 350 your only source of filtration?

I am no expert, but I am sure someone who is on here is going to chime in and say that is your biggest issue right now. The bio wheels are NO2/NO4 traps and should probably be removed. Once you do that you might want to think about building or buying a sump/refregium...

 

I have a sump, I do not have a refuge. The penguin is on the sump underneath along with my protein skimmer and return pump. I figured leaving the penguin as another source of filtration, even if minuscule, is fine.

 

If you are getting a better CUC that might help like you said. Contact john at reef cleaners and tell him what you have as a CUC right now and the specs of your tank and he will make you a custom crew for your tank. Plus his prices are very good and he is great to work with.