How do I drop Nitrate levels effectively?

I agree with you RS but I'll say this. A 25 percent drop in nitrates would drop them to about 22 or so. these would be back up by the next day. I think the tank is just coming to the end of the cycle ( as close to the end as a tank can be) and that's why the high nitrates.

 

You might have nailed it, and RemickJ mentioned this too. What bothers me here is that unless there's some source of death or decay; since the ammonia and nitrites are undetectable, nitrates should no longer be accumulating.

 

Thats what has me scratching my head too

 

Any equipment, ie., sponges, floss, that may be holding extra nitrates? I have nitrate issues in my small tanks, just goes with the territory of a small tank. Can't think of much else as others have addressed many ideas.

 

It's called inexperience, water changes are only a band aid and no real solution...try again.

 

Don't do too many water changes. You will remove bacteria, especially in that small of a tank. Add live bacteria at double the marine dose to bolster your biological filtration. In smaller tanks 20-40 ppm is sometimes the norm because of the less powerful circulation and filtration. I would recommend bi-weekly water changes and use Marine-Clean, an all natural enzyme based product that breaks down detritus and sludge. I resolved to having 40 ppm in my 14 gal. Biocube until I decided to plant Halimeda, Nitrate went to 0 ppm after plant got established and has stayed there (Halimeda uses nitrate and light and Calc to grow) but not everyone likes a green plant in their tank.

 

You can get an eshopps HOB skimmer for around $150. We have the 10-75 gallon model on my daughter's 20 gallon and it pretty much fixed her nitrate problem. Also, you can add some MicrobeLift Ecosystem in a bottle. It will boost your bb so that your nitrates will come down naturally.

 

What is the maintenance like on your hang-on filter? It had been touched on, but that could easily be a nitrate factory.

 

fsukum uses well-water. Have you tested your plain tap water you are using for top-offs and water changes for nitrates?

 

The test strips aren't very accurate either. I would get the 30ppm verified, by your LFS or get a liquid test kit. The strips always showed higher results for me when compared to a liquid kit. Just a thought