my nitrates are really high

[Uncle Salty 05]

If your ammonia and nitrite readings are zero it is Ok to start adding your clean up crew.
Skimmers don't lower nitrates, but they are vital pieces of equipment to maintain water quality.
The only ways to lower nitrates (in order of importance and effectiveness) are water changes, running a well lit refugium, vodka dosing, sulfur or batch de-nitrator, bio-pellet reactor.
Any skimmer that will be effective is going to cost you.
This is what I would recommend:
http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx...ein_Skimmers-AquaMaxx-UJ1151-FIPSHONW-vi.html

 

[mike810]

Ditch the HOB skimmers, they are a piece of u know what and you'll end up replacing it anyways.Do yourself a favor and build a sump now cause down the road you will end up doing so anyways. For the price of that POS HOB skimmer, add another $75 bucks and you can get a swc160 cone skimmer. Buy the goods now and save yourself some dough down the road instead of buying everything twice because you didn't have a sump... Buy a skimmer rated for double your tank volume.

 

[125G Reefer]

They actually make some very nice HOB Skimmers. Being that not everyone out there can put a sump in, they had to make something that was usable. I believe that Octopus is one of them.

 

[125G Reefer]

thanks for all the info my nitrates are down between 5-10ppm and i just did 15 gallon waterchange yesterday so havent tested since i did that change. will this be a safe level for my first part of my cuc i ordered. also will getting a skimmer help reduce nitrates and if i do get a hob skimmer can i replace it with one of my hob filters? and anyone know of a skimmer i can get online for my 55 gallon tank that is decent price?

Decent price is in the eye of the money man. What price range you looking at? No need for HOB filter. Live Rock and Skimmer, and Water changes will do ya just fine.

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

Decent price is in the eye of the money man. What price range you looking at? No need for HOB filter. Live Rock and Skimmer, and Water changes will do ya just fine.

I must respectfully disagree.
A power filter will provide mechanical filtration as well as a place to run carbon and GFO etc.
I would recommend the Aqua Clear 70 for a 55, but as I said the media should be rinsed weekly in RO/DI to prevent it from becoming biological.

http://www.marineandreef.com/Hagen_AquaClear_Filter_AquaClear_Power_Filter_Hagen_Aqua_s/494.htm

 

[kissman]

power filters have worked for some. The problem is they can become nitrate factories if not cleaned very often. In my opinion the skimmer costs more up front but you will save money and time by not have to replace media in power filter and on the weekly cleaning. I would recommend an Octopus Skimmer. As far as Macro algae the best and cheapest place is www.reefcleaners.org John is a really nice guy

 

[amdninjaboy]

I put a handfull size clump up chaeto in my sump on saturday, my nitrates were at 40. Monday evening they are under 10 now that stuff works great..

Shane.

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

I specifically recommended the Aqua Clear for it's ease of use.
You just take of the lid and lift out the media basket, rinsing the media is a two minute operation. The media doesn't need to be replaced.
Plus they are very dependable and will run trouble free for years and years.