need help, high nitrates

[2XAl]

hi all,
first thread on here, sorry for the length. i have been doing 10-15% water changes in my 55 regularly and aside from an algae bloom that was entirely my fault all has been well. this weekend after a wc ammonia was 0, nitrites at 0, ph 8.2, temp 76, nitrates about 10, sg at 1.024. I added some nitrate reducer, per the bottle instructions, to try and get them down even lower. Last night just for kicks to see how the reducer was working i checked my nitrates again, this time they were up to 20. :frustrat: I did another 5 gal water changes and tested all again tonight. Nitrates are up to 40, all other levels are the same. i didnt feed today just so i wasnt overloiading the bacteria. stock list is as follows:

-50-60# of live rock
-2 nemos
-1 watchman goby
-1 pygmy angel
-1 yellow wrasse
-6 turbos
-6 smaller turboish snails
-2 cleaner shrimp
-8-12 nassarius snails
- brittle star
-dozen random hermits

lighting:
2 actinic bulbs on at 10a off at 9p
150w metal halide on 11:30a off 7:30p
led moonlights
MH bulb and ballast were both replaced within 4 months
actinics are unfortunately almost 2 years old but as i understand they dont degrade as quickly.

thanks in advance, ironically my fish and corals have never looked better but Im trying to keep it that way

 

[Ulta]

lol, idk what nitrate reducer in a bottle could be.....

 

[Bifferwine]

What is the name of the additive you are using to try to reduce nitrates? I've tried a few along the way, and the only one I found that actually works is Marine SAT. Some of them just killed everything in my tank!

 

[Kizmar]

What testing kit are you using? You might want to take a water sample to your LFS and have them test it too.

Are all the animals accounted for? Spikes like that are usually from over-feeding or something dieing in the tank and not getting removed by the cuc.

 

[2XAl]

This is the stuff I've been using, probably 6 times total:
Aquarium Water Conditioner: Instant Ocean Natural Nitrate Reducer

 

[Bifferwine]

When did you start using it? It says that it will take several weeks to months to start working.

 

[2XAl]

probably 2 months ago, every weekly wc and i forgot 2 weeks. thanks Kizmar re the water chem kit. Im thinking about heading to the LFS in the morning before work. I was doubting the kit i had so I bought a new one, although the same brand, which game identical results. hopefully Im doing it wrong

 

[2XAl]

also i have a skimmer with an air stone which I empty daily, i forgot to mention that

 

[Kizmar]

also i have a skimmer with an air stone which I empty daily, i forgot to mention that

How dark is the water thats gathering in the skimmer?

 

[2XAl]

the water itself isnt extremely dirty, the foam and the buildup inside the tube to the tank is very thick and slimy though

 

[Kizmar]

The stuff gathering in the skimmer should be dark tea colored (unless there's some other foaming agent present like new sand). That might need to be adjusted to perform optimally.

 

[Bifferwine]

It's an air stone skimmer... That's about as old school as you can get. Upgrading to a better skimmer will definitely help.

 

[Kizmar]

It's an air stone skimmer... That's about as old school as you can get. Upgrading to a better skimmer will definitely help.

Hehe... Agreed. :D

 

[wsboyette]

I am very pleased with the Urchin skimmer I am using. Very efficient with almost zero tinkering !