my attempt to lower my nitrates

[jtravapd]

hello, all, so this week i have been really trying to clean up my tank. after months of kinda half a$$'ing it, i have been working to keep with regular water changes, cleaning skimmer ect. well last week i tested my water and no surprise my nitrates were off the charts...now i know testing kits could be all over the place,but i guess anything other then zero nitrates is bad...so here are the steps i took to try and fix the problem, if anyone else has any ideas im open to suggestions. my tank is 180 gallons with 300lbs of live rock in it,evlolution 750 skimmer. monday i did a 15 gallon water change.., last night i took out all the rubble rock(and there was ALOT) that my sump was filled with and wet-vac out all the crap that was in the sump (i couldn't get everything, but got most of the dirt and stuff) Right now the water comes into my sump and passes over a media bag packed with activated carbon (which i just changed), Monday i should be getting in the mail, phosphate remover which will go in a media bag, and nitrate sponge which will go in a bag both will be placed with the carbon in the sump. Im hoping that helps clean up my water. I also did a 30 gallon water change today..My corals and clams never looked better, but i guess they are used to the water being crappy. Am i on the right track now? the water in my sump is actually clear now instead of cloudy muddy looking so that has to be a plus in itself.lol..

 

[reeferwanabe]

generally if you do half your water your nitrates will be cut in half do this a couple of times over a period of a couple of weeks

 

[tbone212371]

Just remember to do it all slowly....
All you livestock and corals are used to your water parameters regardless off what they are..
The cleaning of the sump and rubble will also cause some spikes..
Hell any cleaning of rocks or sand to remove any detris and etc will give spikes of nitrates and ammonia...
Just do everything in moderation...
It didn't get to whatever levels you are at overnight..
Slower is better...
Water changes are the best options..

 

[jtravapd]

Just remember to do it all slowly....
All you livestock and corals are used to your water parameters regardless off what they are..
The cleaning of the sump and rubble will also cause some spikes..
Hell any cleaning of rocks or sand to remove any detris and etc will give spikes of nitrates and ammonia...
Just do everything in moderation...
It didn't get to whatever levels you are at overnight..
Slower is better...
Water changes are the best options..

yeah, todays water change was 30 gallons..and i vacumed the floor of the sump and boy was it filthy. the water is nice and clear in the sump...i have two bags of carbon, and two bags of nitrate sponge in there right now. monday ill be adding phosphate remover to the sump, although my phos. are low right now.im so glad i vacumed out the sump, it really really needed it, and i was putting off taking out all that rubble rock, but im really happy i did now.

 

[kason42]

how's it going now? Everything alright?