How much is too much?

[bobby]

I would try 50 today and 25 till there down. Do you have a sump? If so you can try addind macro. You can reduce your nitrates as much as possable but it will just go back up unless you find the cause. How many fish and livestock is in the tank? Are you overfeeding?

[Nedim]

I feed once a day. There are 6 fish in the tank and 2 inverts. Most of them are tiny though, so I don't think that its over stocked.

[yote]

When was the last time you give your canister a good cleaning?Those things will cause high nitrates if they get the least bit dirty.
When you do your water change,replace the filter media.It really should be changed at least every other week any way.

[Bifferwine]

Yeah I removed my canister filter when I was having nitrate problems and it made a big difference. And I was cleaning it weekly at the time too.

[Nedim]

So whats a good filtration system to use thats easy to maintain? A sump is out of my means for now, I don't have the space or the time to build one.

[Bifferwine]

Just a good skimmer and sufficient live rock is what I use.

[yote]

You could also go with something like an Emperor 400.I took mine and put some rock ruble in it.That way you get some pods in there that will eat what gets caught.Or just change one cartridge a week.

[Nedim]

I want something that will keep the water as clear as my canister filter does. I have an emperor that I can use. Could I use it to cultivate macro algae?