Ongoing Nitrates

[RaymondL]

15 Gallon tank with 2 clowns, 5 snails and a mix of soft and LPS corals - coming up to 6 months old. Phosphates = 0.02, Nitrates keep on rising after weekly water change of 25%. Running a skimmer as well. Most definitely not overfeeding, and can't seem to get Nitrates stable. It goes from 8ppm, to 12 then to 20ppm, until I do a water change - I"m sure if I leave it as is, it'll continue to climb. I can't seem to figure out what is causing this. For filtration, I have floss, chemipure elite, Purigen, Seachem De-Nitrate and ceramic bioballs.

Welcome any thoughts on this - is this because the tank is still a bit new?

 

[Jekyl]

Your tank is still a baby. Continue with weekly water changes to manage and test as you go. Eventually you'll find a rhythm. Maturity brings stability.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

15 Gallon tank with 2 clowns, 5 snails and a mix of soft and LPS corals - coming up to 6 months old. Phosphates = 0.02, Nitrates keep on rising after weekly water change of 25%. Running a skimmer as well. Most definitely not overfeeding, and can't seem to get Nitrates stable. It goes from 8ppm, to 12 then to 20ppm, until I do a water change - I"m sure if I leave it as is, it'll continue to climb. I can't seem to figure out what is causing this. For filtration, I have floss, chemipure elite, Purigen, Seachem De-Nitrate and ceramic bioballs.

Welcome any thoughts on this - is this because the tank is still a bit new?

Nitrates of 20 are fine, especially for the corals you have. Just keep up with routine maintenance/water changes and let the tank mature.