Stumped on my nitrates

[GT350pwns]

Ok, for the past two weeks my aquarium has tested pretty much the same

pH - 8.0 (how do i raise this a tiny bit, or is this a good pH to be at?)
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 20ppm

I've done 3 10% water changes in the past few days and it hasn't helped the nitrate level at all. Although, I did add 2 clowns. Is it natural for it to be up a bit and maybe just a possibility that the system has not adjusted to its new bioload?

My clowns seem very happy, eating well when I feed them (have reduced feedings to every other day to attempt to lower nitrate levels in conjunction with water changes) and don't seem stressed at all with their home.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

[GT350pwns]

also, just tested directly after doing a bit of tank maintenance (cleaning glass, water change, changing out filter media). is it possible that doing that could have stirred a bunch of crap up and made the test read higher than what levels would be if things were settled?

[acabgd]

Yes it is possible.

You didn't mention anything about your tank, how big it is, when it was established, how much LR you have...

Don't chase pH. Make sure your room is well ventilated and that you surface water is somewhat agitated by powerheads.

[GT350pwns]

Sorry,

tank is 36 gal bowfront, established a bit over a month ago, about 35 lb of live rock, ~3.5, maybe 4in DSB. water changes have actually been closer to 20%, seeing as I've changed 5 gal each time.

[JackandJill]

Do you have a skimmer?

[GT350pwns]

i don't have a skimmer

2 koralia 600s, hydor 200w heater, and an aquaclear 50 for a filter. sorry i forgot about hardware. have been scatter brained!

Have plans of adding a 10gal sump/fuge in the next few months and was trying to get by without a HOB skimmer until then.

[saltyair]

20 N03 is not a huge deal this early on - once you get a skimmer it will help to lower. let the system adjust to bio-loads, be careful not to over feed.
keep up with the weekly wc it will help you in the long run.
the aquarium will go though many stages over the next year, don't panic :)

[GT350pwns]

20 N03 is not a huge deal this early on - once you get a skimmer it will help to lower. let the system adjust to bio-loads, be careful not to over feed.
keep up with the weekly wc it will help you in the long run.
the aquarium will go though many stages over the next year, don't panic :)

thank you for the reassurance. Does anyone have any recommendations on a good, in sump skimmer that would fit a 10gal sump/fuge and do the job for my system?

[julie180]

+1 Don't worry about ph. Keep an eye on alk, calcium and mag instead. 20ppm nitrates is fine. I have a real hard time believing people that have 0 nitrates! Your fish should be fine as long as there is no ammonia.
As far as a skimmer, good luck with that one, everyone has their fav. I personally had good luck with a coral life 220 early on, but ask, and most people hate them.