How do I drop Nitrate levels effectively?

I am at around 30ppm. The chart on my test kit says I am in the "okay" level, but I have read that immeasurable levels are ideal.

What a good way to lower my nitrate levels?

My tank is very healthy in apperance. I have no algea growth and my fish, coral and inverts look all look healthy and are growing.

 

Can you fill this out for us?

http://www.3reef.com/forums/asap/asap-please-start-here-54456.html

 

Cheato in a fuge.

 

it's called a water change.

 

A water change will not drop Nitrate levels effectively.. To drop them effectively you must find the cause of the problem. IE over feeding, something dead in the tank, an overloaded system. etc. Water changes are good for maintenance but are quick fixed only if the problem is not fixed the Nitrate levels will be back to the same level in a matter of days..

 

I have done it, thanks.

Sarcasm is unwanted.

 

fsukim I tried to address the sarcasam for you.. I picked up on it too and it's not necessary.

Did you take a look at the form. Really what mikejrice is asking for is more information. IE do you have a sump or a fuge that you could put cheato in? Is your tank over stocked? If you could let us know a little about your tank we could hopefully point you in the right direction. Hope this makes sense..

 

Temperature: fluctuates from 77.5-79.8
PH:
Ammonia: non-detectable
Nitrite: non-detectable
Nitrate: roughly 30 ppm
Salinity: 1.022
dKH/KH/Alkalinity: over 300
Magnesium:
Calcium:200 ppm working on improving this to mid 400's.
Phosphate:
Test kits you own: "API" Calcium kit (liquid) and "quick dip" 6 test strips in one

Are they Expired?: NO


Tank size? 20 gallons


Reef

Current inhabitants? cleaner shrimp, one clown and a variety of snails upwards of 40 snails and hermits (4 of them) combined


Clean up crew? look above

How long has your tank been set-up? I would say roughly 3 months

Substrate.
Type? Figi pink live sand; 30 pounds
Depth? roughly 3 inches a its peak

Live rock? Figi
How much? 21 pounds
Did you recently add some? no.

Filtration.
Type? 20-40 gallon standard carbon filter for fresh or saltwater tanks
Protein skimmer? No

Maintenance schedule for filtration? just did my first water change

Lighting.
Lighting type? T-5 strip lights
Age of bulbs? 3 months

Feeding
What? brine shrimp and occasional small pellets
How much? half a block or brine shrimp
How often? every other day alternating between the two

Water change schedule.
How much? I did 5 gallons
How often? first time since I starte dmy tank 3 months ago. will probobly do every 3-4 week.
What salt brand? the pre-measred 5 gallon salt mix (can't remember the name)
Water source? Tap water.....well water. We have hard water, non chlorinated.

Additives/supplements used? I added some photoplankton today to provide moe food for my corals. Will start using calcium additves.

Do you have a ground probe? Not sure what this is, but no.
What kind of flow does your tank have? There are no dead spots

 

Do you have algae issues at all? It doen't appear that you are overfreeding or over stocked those are the two most common items I see. Any chance you have a dead snail somewhere?

 

I do not see any algea at all. Just a few small spots of some flourecent greens and reds on my rock, but they may have come on my rock when I purchased it.

Perhaps there is a dead snail, but do you think that a small snail no bigger then my pinky nail wold caus my nitrates to jump up to 30 ppm?

To be honest, I don't think my nitrates have ever been below this point, so it isn't a recent spike.