Trates at a loss

[cripps72]

Ok 55ga running close to 8months.
-350 bio-wheel and the wheels have been taken out
-cpr w/ bio-bale out and the chamber has rubble and chaeto w/ a light over it
-numerous phs
-4x54 t-5s
-all other levels in tank is ok, i do 12ga water change every two weeks
-45lbs sand
-about 80lbs of rock
-fish are 2 false clowns,velvet wrasse,yellow watchman,2 green chromis,scooter blenny,pygmy angel, w/ numerous cleanup crew
-and healthy amount of corals
-feed twice a day which it seems it all gets taken in and the only additives i add is ess. elements between the water change
- And the ? is my trates seem to stay at around 20 all the time i have used 2 diff. tests, everything seems very healthy and dont have any die-off w/ anything not sure what else to do to lower them...........Any ideas and thank you

 

[matt819]

You don't need to feed twice a day...this can directly impact nitrates, try feeding every other day.

 

[matt819]

Also, you could run a refugium with macro algae...try getting some cherrystone clams from the grocery...those two things are helping my trates get lower as we speak!

 

[cripps72]

ok thanks il try cutting back on feeding and see what that does.

 

[chrisarc]

20 ppm nitrates isnt that bad at all. I keep mainly softies and a couple lps in my 55 and my trates are at about 15-20 ppm. If everything looks healthy dont worry about it.SPS corals require low nitrates. I used to keep sps corals but I got rid of them because I like fish in my tank. If youre keeping softies 20ppm nitrates is fine.