Nitrates in a 29 Biocube

[garyko25]

I'm a little confused right now. I have tried everything I could think of. As of Sunday my Nitrates were at 120 ppm. They read about the same two weeks ago. Since than I have did a 25% water change, added a Nitrate absorbing pad, added Red Sea NO3 - PX4 - X. No Results. I feed a half cube of food every two to three days. Any ideas? Thinking it could be the bioballs.

This is a list of what is in the tank

FISH
1. ORA Perc. Clown
2. Algae Blenny

CORALS
1. Brain Coral
2. Xenia
3. Anthelia
4. Acan
5. Gorgonian
6. Assorted mushrooms and Zoa's
7. Acro (3 small frags)
8. Hammer Coral
9. Leather Corals

INVERTS

1. Condy Anemone
2. Hermits
3. Spotted Linkia
4. Snails

Equipment

(2) Ecoxotic Panarma Strips
LED Moon Lights
Oceananic Nano Skimmer
2 Fluval 265 gph power heads
Heater
Upgraded return pump to replace the one that was on the tank

[Zack]

1/2 a cube sounds like a ton of food= waste= nitrates (down the line)...

[Mike]

Test your water. Using RODI or tap? Maybe your salt? Only way to get it down is with water changes. At 120 if you did a. 50% water change, it would knock it down to 60. Every 50% cuts it in half.

Well we feed a lot, but it does sound like too much food for your two little fish. I know your corals and inverts get some too, but that is a lot of waste. Good luck.

[Dean]

Did you say bio balls? Unless you clean them regularly they can be a source of nitrates. There is also a filter sponge between the media compartment and return chamber. That needs to be cleaned biweeklyish...... I ditched my bioballs and loaded the media compartment with live rock rubble and clean the sponge twice a week and the system runs as clean as can be.

[garyko25]

Thanks guys, I will cut back on the food. Bio ball were next on the list anyways I'll flip them this week and see how it goes.

Many thanks

[aquasport24]

Try a different test kit or take it to LFS and have them test it. You might have a bad kit, that is too high for having just 2 fishes.

[Bill S]

I'll echo the "try another test kit" idea. Take your kit to a LFS, and both of you test your water.

Do BIG water changes. 15 gallons is not too much.