filter help please

ok amonia 0, nitrite 0, phosphate 0, nitrate very high off the chart, tank is 2 years old 75 gal, 75-80 lb live rock, 1 inch of crushed coral substrate, trickle filter with bio balls, large protien skimmer working great, no matter how many water changed nitrates wont stay down, i now today just removed the bio balls from the filter because i was told they are a nitate breeding ground so i am useing just a protien skimmer for filtration and the sponges in the prefilter overflow. what more should i do? i also have a small algea problem cause of the nitrate problem.

 

I have had trouble withe the sponges

 

How often do you siphon your substrate? Crushed coral is a huge trap for detritus. Try and remove it from under your rockwork for better flow. Constant siphoning is required to remove the detritus and keep it from breaking down causing nitrate spikes. We had cc in a 50 hex tank and finally removed it because of the difficulty to keep it clean. Hope that helps.
Scott

 

http://www.melevsreef.com/reducing_nitrates.html

that helped me alot. i have CC as well. however adding a sump with fuge with help keep your nitrates below 10 ppm. but use the info in the link. it will greatly reduce nitrates.

 

Good point Hexus0,
Adding a sump/fuge will increase water flow and help to export waste. :thumbs_up
Scott