Hey guys. I'm running a Red Sea Reefer 450 and I'm currently having troubles lowering my Nitrate levels. Right now my normal is around 20-25ppm. I do 20% water changes weekly but I don't really see any drop in the Nitrate levels.
I've got a Reef Octopus Classic 152-S skimmer, Clean my socks every 3-4 days, as well as over 90 pounds of LR in the Display, a Nitrate reducing filter pad, and Seachem DeNitrate in the sump.
I try to keep my feedings under control. I feed 3 times a week and try not to feed more than my fish can eat in 3-5 minutes. I occasionally drop in a few pellets for my Male Lyretail Anthias to snack on during the off days of feeding.
The tank is about 3 months old so I'm wondering if the high Nitrates is just a symptom of the young tank age. However, it seems that no matter what I do the nitrates stay at this level.
What should I do, and what do you guys do in your maintenance regimen to keep nitrates below 5-10ppm?
I've got a Reef Octopus Classic 152-S skimmer, Clean my socks every 3-4 days, as well as over 90 pounds of LR in the Display, a Nitrate reducing filter pad, and Seachem DeNitrate in the sump.
I try to keep my feedings under control. I feed 3 times a week and try not to feed more than my fish can eat in 3-5 minutes. I occasionally drop in a few pellets for my Male Lyretail Anthias to snack on during the off days of feeding.
The tank is about 3 months old so I'm wondering if the high Nitrates is just a symptom of the young tank age. However, it seems that no matter what I do the nitrates stay at this level.
What should I do, and what do you guys do in your maintenance regimen to keep nitrates below 5-10ppm?