jester805, I not as yet even readied all the responses you gotten but those two filters are worthless when it comes to a larger tank, the Emperor 400 and 280 filter. As for the seaclone skimmer, you will find those who will agree with its usage.
For nitrates that high tells me that little to no water changes been done as well as possibly over feeding as well for I now see that you done a 12 gal a week water change, but for what seems to m e a bit too much food at one feeding for you only a few fish in that tank and so yes, that is what your problem is as well as that you do best to get yourself a sump and if not, at least a good hob skimmer and something better then that seaclone and as well, those filters only traps food and becomes a nitrate source as well as canisters do.
For yes, the lfs, they all recommended water changes which is understood for two cubes of foods every night is a lot for that tank for the fish you have.
I use only RO/DI water and I wouldn't buy water from Walmart for you best had test it before even using it for the only test you would need to do be first the pH.. If the pH is very low, then at that stand point the water is looking good and then you test for silicates and phosphates.
jester805, rlmabry is correct, I never use any type of chemical that the ocean not have for once you do, you best hope for the best and besides that young man, your nitrates are so high that you would need to use so much of it, so end of story on that idea.
For not, you need to reduce by half, if not more on your feeding and look to do instead of a weekly huge water change, do a 20 gals water change twice a week, but you must ease up on the feeding.
Im sorry jester805, but I have to use you for something right now for too many times people disagree for they believe that LR takes care of nitrates in your tank, this is not so for the control is up to the hobbyist and nothing or anyone else can control this for you, you need to get yourself on track and once this situation becomes under control, you then need to keep it in check, but because you a reef tank and your tank is large but not all that large, this will take a good long while im afraid to say.
As for bio balls, you will fine those who have great success with its use and I just happen to be one of those who do. So you heard here a number of thoughts as well as suggestions and is up to you now in how you will see this through for you will need to have a great deal of patients for as I said, this will not go down over night or even in a months time for you will however see at times a drop of around 15-20 PPM in your tanks nitrate levels.
And I see you have no corals listed above, is it that you have none? If not, it might prove to be helpful for you to return the anemone and buttterflyfish and maybe the Urchin as well and up your water changes to 30 gals twice a week, but only do this way for no more then three weeks and after that you move to do one large weekly water change of 25-30 gals.
