How can I improve?

[satanpie]

I have been slacking a little lately on my tank, but I wanna get back to work. I have been having problems with very high nitrates and this brown dust that gets all over everything in the tank. Ammonia and nitrite are fine. Also, some of my plants are showing signs of decay and some have never been doing to well. Here are specs and pics

75G
cascade 100 and fluval 402 filters, 96 watt t5 lighting, 2 1/2 bags of eco complete. I change about a quarter of the tank everyweek..
its stocked with 5 full grown angels, 1 Bn pleco, 1 small yellow spot pleco, 2 bolivian rams, and 9 rummynose tetras, there is one large gold snail and 10 babies that are still evading me.

how can I improve my plants, solve my nitrate/dust problem? Any other suggestions for modification of the tank are appreciated too!

 

[Bansart]

Is there alot of water movement on the surface? if your not running Preassurized CO2 then maybe you can reduce surface water movement. you can also try running the aerator at night. hope this helps.

 

[MrGoodbytes]

How large/often are your water changes? What are your nitrates testing at?

 

[satanpie]

Theres very little surface movement usually, i have to run the air bubbles or the fish gasp for air. I wrote that i change a quarter of the water weekly, my nitrates are high 50+.

 

[MrGoodbytes]

Sorry, I missed that part. I would up my water changes to 40-50% weekly and see if that helps reduce nitrates. You may also be getting nitrates in your tap water, unless you have already tested them and ruled that possibility out. How much do you vacuum detritus off the substrate?

 

[jm1212]

if you are having trouble keeping your nitrates low, try checking your tap water and cut back on feedings.

 

[bushwhacker]

first thing i noticed you dont have enough light 96 watts in a 55 wont cut it

 

[Slappy*McFish]

I've run a 55g at just 80w with decent results.

 

[satanpie]

first thing i noticed you dont have enough light 96 watts in a 55 wont cut it

its a 75 gallon tank, and the plants have been doing alright for a while with this light