Still having nitrate problem

[hstormont]

I have done numerous water changes and my nitrates remain at about 40
I have live rock and sand,an eheim ecco filter, a protein skimmer, and a uv sterilizer.
Where could these nitrates be coming from. Should I remove the eheim bio media? IF so what should I replace it with?
Do I need to vacuum the live sand?
Any help would be great. Thanks

 

[groupergenius]

How old is the tank? What livestock? Anything dieing lately?

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by hstormont
I have done numerous water changes and my nitrates remain at about 40
I have live rock and sand,an eheim ecco filter, a protein skimmer, and a uv sterilizer.
Where could these nitrates be coming from. Should I remove the eheim bio media? IF so what should I replace it with?
Do I need to vacuum the live sand?
Any help would be great. Thanks
I CAN ALMOST assure you that is is coming from you canister filter, make sure you clean out the filter media also, check your feeding habits and water change schedule, DONT be affraid to lightily syphon your Liev sand as well..

 

[hstormont]

The tank is about 8 months old. Nothing has died recently or at all actually.
I have one anenome and 5 small fish.
Do I need the canister for biological filtration or just for mechanical??

 

[huskychasrs]

Bad test kit?
Have you had it verified (high Trates)by LFS or another kit?

 

[hstormont]

I bought another test kit and had the same results.
I just don't know what else to try

 

[nigerbang]

Originally Posted by MiaHeatLvr
I CAN ALMOST assure you that is is coming from you canister filter, make sure you clean out the filter media also, check your feeding habits and water change schedule, DONT be affraid to lightily syphon your Liev sand as well..

Cans are huge Trate factories it seems..All that Bio-Max or what ever the kids are calling it these days

..

 

[hstormont]

If my canister filter is the source of my nitrates then what should I switch to? I have a hexagon shaped tank so my hang on room is limited. I have a protein skimmer hanging on the back already. Should I be using different media in the canister? The LFS said to get a emperor 400 fillter with biowheel, but I don't have enough room to hang it. I don't have room under for a wet dry sump either. I know I need to upgrade to a bigger tank, but I just can't do it until at the soonest next year. Any ideas??

 

[socal57che]

I run canisters.
How often do you clean the media?
IMO canisters need more frequent cleaning than HOBs.
Clean the media in a bucket of tank water from a water change so as not to kill bacteria with fresh water flushing. I would keep all the media you currently have but clean it every 3-4 weeks.
Do you have sufficient flow? Any dead spots that collect uneaten food and waste will turn into little nitrate factories.
What does your skimmer byproduct look like. It should be thick, dark and stink to high heaven.

 

[ninjamini]

Filters are bad!
Algae is good. Get some cheato!

 

[ninjamini]

Who says you need a filter at all. What you need is something to consume nitrates. Thats Cheato. Also keep up with water changes.
Originally Posted by hstormont
If my canister filter is the source of my nitrates then what should I switch to? I have a hexagon shaped tank so my hang on room is limited. I have a protein skimmer hanging on the back already. Should I be using different media in the canister? The LFS said to get a emperor 400 fillter with biowheel, but I don't have enough room to hang it. I don't have room under for a wet dry sump either. I know I need to upgrade to a bigger tank, but I just can't do it until at the soonest next year. Any ideas??