Nitrates are way to high.

patchmeupp37 — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 17:47:02 GMT

I have a 75 gallon FOWLR, I am running a Fluval 405 cannister pump, maxi-head 1200 pump and a turbonator 1000 protein skimmer rated up to 250g. (Protein Skimmer was just added less than a week ago.) I have crushed coral for my substrate and about 30 lbs of live rock. My tank is 2 months old. I have a stars and stripes puffer, volitans lionfish, picasso trigger, snowflake eel, blue koran angel, diamond goby, yellowfin damsel, blue damsel and domino damsel. I have had alot of algae growing causing me to test my tank and had the following results.

Ammonia- Zero

PH- fluxuates between 7.8 and 8.0

Nitrite- .25

Nitrate- off the chart

I did a 20% water change and noticed no difference in my nitrate readings. Since then I have added a protein skimmer and have done a 50% water change. I again tested my tank, ammonia and nitrites are both at zero, ph is at 8.0 but my nitrates are still to high, chart reads between 40 to 80 ppm more so towards the later. Should I perform another 50% or greater water change? I am at wits end as I don't know what to do anymore, the algae is still growing but has slowed down greatly but my nitrates are still to high. I see from reading some other posts that crushed coral can be a cause of high nitrates. Should I change out the crushed coral and go with live sand? I also must admit that I was over feeding the fish due to some poor advice from a local fish store employee. I am now only feeding my fish once a day. Should I feed them more or stay with the schedule I have them on right now? I am fearful of losing my fish as I am a new aquarist. I hope I have provided the right information for some one here to help out. If not I will be sure to provide whatever information will help. Thanks in advance for any help you provide.

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Nitrates are way to high.