Can't seem to get the nitrates down

I have a FOWLR tank and for the last 6 weeks, my nitrates have been climbing upwards. I have tried increasing the water changes and decreasing the amount of food, but they just keep climbing. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Nitrate
1/12/09 - -0-
1/25/09 - 100
2/14/09 - 140
3/6/09 - 160

Here are my other parameters:
Nitrites - -0- throughout the time frame
Ammonia - -0 throughout
PH - 7.8 throughout
Salinity - 1.025 throughout

 

what kind of protein skimmer are you running?

 

When performing your WC, do you also syphon the sand? Have you lossed a fish lately? Do you have a sump? If so, do you have filter pads? Have you checked the test kit to see if its not expired? Luna

 

Turbo float. I think it is a called a foam fractionator protein skimmer

 

Yes, I do sometimes syphon the sand, but not all the time as I recognize that it might be syphoning some of the good bacteria.

No, I have not lost any fish during this six week period.

I have a Eurofil 125 with micron filter socks and 2 magrdrive 950 water pumps, one to run the reservoir filtration system and one for the aeration/circulation - that's it.

No, the test kit is brand new.

 

when you disturb the sand you are causing nitrate spikes.


never vacuum the sand ever. it will mess with your nitrates every time.

if there is algae growing on it try waving your hand at it see if it floats up or get more sand stirrers.

 

If you vacuum .. only vacuum a very small area .... like a square foot area.. It's best to get a goby to do it for ya.. or some sort of sand sifter. Are you getting much skimmate in your skimmer?
Next water change do a before and after Nitrate test without stirring the sandbed.

I've heard puffers create a lot of waste... How big are the tangs and puffer?

 

You're probably a good candidate for "the form".
hehe
http://www.3reef.com/forums/asap/asap-please-start-here-54456.html

 

I understand that vacuuming the sand may be contributing to the problem. Also, my newest fish, the trigger, is also adding to the problem because he is one of the biggest creators of waste.

But is there some effective treatment that anyone has used that can lower the nitrates in the short term?

 

Yeah, water changes.
I think you may be way overstocked depending on how big those fish are.. if they're small now they will get huge someday.