Lowering nitrate question

[Fighter_of_Foo]

I know there a a million posts already on this so apologies for the post in advance.

My Nitrates are constantly around 30 any suggestions on how to lower them or what I’m doing wrong. Only 10 month in reefing and first tank.
Should I add any extra filtration;carbon dosing, chemipure, etc?
Any advice is welcome

Tank/gear/maintenance
IM 40g
IM skimmer
1 filter sock (changed weekly)
IM caddy with marinepure bio ballIs
media reactor with carbon
5g water Chang weekly (pretty consistently) with good tested water
Frozen food once a day and every couple days I spot feed my LPS

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Are you having algae or other issues ?
Have you had the test double checked with an lfs?

Are you running a sump, canister filter or hob Refugium ?

 

[Fighter_of_Foo]

Algae is not a big problem, small spots. Tank is an all in one. I could change one of the rear chambers to a fugue, but not sure if it would be large enough to make a difference. I may try it anyway.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Algae is not a big problem, small spots. Tank is an all in one. I could change one of the rear chambers to a fugue, but not sure if it would be large enough to make a difference. I may try it anyway.

IMO , don’t let numbers on the test guide you. Go the other way. Look with your eyes and use the test as indicators of what’s happening.
A lot of zoa and lps guys would not mind those numbers.

(I can show you a tank with Po4 of 3.0)

A fwiw, in my old jbj cube , a lot of gunk would build up. As these rot they can put a lot of no3 back in the tank. Like tha canister filter , it can become a nitrate factory.

 

[Eggpaul]

My 2 month old tank was having nitrate issues. I couldn't get it lower than 25. It was hard doing anything more than 25% water changes on a 150 gallon tank, so that was only small dents in the Nitrates. But suddenly it has dropped to 5-10 ppm. Only explanation I have is -- I started changing filter socks every 3-4 days . The socks were gross. Pressure washed them in the back yard. Looked like mud. that will be a huge difference for you.

 

[Eggpaul]

Also, for me, Chaeto has always been the difference maker. Both in my biocube 29 and now my 150 , Chaeto has been the main reason nitrates have dropped. Not sure how easily you can incorporate that in your tank .

 

[Florida Sunshine]

I second the advise on the filter socks. BRS did a video on them not too long ago and it was recommended that you change/clean your socks every 2-3 days.

 

[Eggpaul]

I second the advise on the filter socks. BRS did a video on them not too long ago and it was recommended that you change/clean your socks every 2-3 days.

Agreed, seems mine turn brown and water flow is effected by day 3 or 4. All that brown gunk is just sitting in the water. Needs to come out.

 

[John3]

My nitrates were high early on with my tank. At one point I dosed vitamins c for other purposes and as a side affect my nitrates went to almost nothing. I stopped dosing vc a couple months back and now struggle to keep them up at times yo the point I overfeed just to keep my softies and lps happy.