I bought a new nitrate and nitrite kit. The local pet store here doe sent offer water tests and only deals in freshwater. The base rock is tulfa.

Well I think I figuredout my nitrate source, which looks like the tulfa I used for base rock. I pulled all 78lbs and did a 60% water change and my nitrates have droped to 20. Now all I have for bio filtration in my tank is 95lbs of live sand, 10lbs of actual base rock and 20lbs of live rock, as well as 2gallons of bio balls and 1-2 gallons of coral rubble like what you would find in a calcium reactor. Well I guess I get to learn these lessions the hard way, now I need more and/or live/baserock.

let me guess, you bought it from the store that doen't deal in salt water, tuffa is not good for salt tanks as it has all kinds of nasty things it will leach into the water. but its good you found the issue and removed it.

Steve

Yep, saw it mentioned in a saltwater book and though sounds good. Add more water to tank and sump and got nitrates down to 5.

That's great you found the source - I knew something was up! Check out www.fijireefrock.com he is a vendor on CanReef and offers free shipping on the dry rock he sells. It is real rock that was formerly live.