End of cycle...ok to add nitrate reducing pad?

[subielover]

Just finished cycling a Reefer 350 (not my first tank) and my Nitrates are currently right around 100 according to Salifert. What I would like to do is use a nitrate reducing filter pad instead of a gigantic water change. Would that be ok?
Basically, because I have always had smaller tanks I don't have a big mixing container yet. I just have 5 gallon buckets currently, so I'm just trying to see if others think that it would be ok. Thanks in advance for any insight.

 

[lapin]

From what I know about them, they filter out waste and allow bacteria to grow on them. I think this could work over a long time period (like in months, not days). You will need to clean them of waste on a regular basis. I always do the big water change or cycle my rock outside the tank.