[GR8-1]

I wanted to know what are other ways to get my nitrate levels down it always stay around 15-20 ppm i cant get it to 0ppm i have a 55 gallon tank i do about 12 gallons of water changes every 2 weeks and i have a nitrate spondge in my filter any other ideas thanks for your help

[Steven Pro]

Water changes, deep sand beds, protein skimming, vegetable filtration, etc. Maybe you should tell us more about your setup. Equipment, inhabitants, etc.

[GR8-1]

I do water changes i have a protein skimmer in sump. my sand bed is not that thick and i dont have a vegetable filtration. i just have a regular wet/dry filter and a carbon filter

[Mini_Reef]

Something you might try....it's a product called "de-nitrate" by Seachem.
You put some in a filter bag, or a nylon, and put it it your filter.
I just bought some today, and plan on putting it in my fluval on my next water change. I personally haven't tried it yet, but it was highly reccomended by the lady who helps me with my tank needs.

[BubbaWPB]

You didn't mention live rock... do you have any? The wet-dry will be good for the aerobic part of your nitrogen cycle, but you'll need the rock or deep sand bed to convert your nitrate. This part is anaerobic (in a low oxygen envirornment) and takes place in the deeper chasms of the live rock and/or in a deep sand bed... otherwise, you'll need to keep up with the water changes/nitrate sponges.

[GR8-1]

I have about 65lbs of live rock in tanks and a sand bed of about 1/2 thick so maybe i should of added more sand to my tank but to late for that

[Rubisco]

I would definately add more sand, its not too late I just added several inches to an 8 year old reef the other day. Of course youll want to rinse it well and just add it slow so as not to stirr up too much.

FWIW

Matt

[BubbaWPB]

Good idea on adding to the depth of the sand bed... that should help.

[GR8-1]

so if i had add some sand it wont hurt the fish or the corals?
i guess the way to do it is turn off filter and power head and dump in tank slow. what about my horseshoe craps will they still be able to dig out if i add some sand and if i buy the bag of live sand i should rinse it with fresh water first or can i just dump it in the tank

[Mini_Reef]

I would turn off your powerhead at least, but I don't think i would
just add the sand like that. You might try using a cup...scoop up some sand and cover as much of the top of the cup as you can. Once the cup is on the bottom, gently turn it over and slowly try and spread it out.
That shouldn't cause too mcuh cloudyness.
Good luck