high nitrate

[kaineo]

i have had a problem with my xenia and my kenya tree staying closed up lately. i tested my water and my nitrates are @ 10ppm, ph @8.3,nitrite @0 and amm. @0. i think the reason it is so high is because of my canister filters. the nitrates have been high for about 2 weeks. i cleaned one can. filter and did a five gal water change. they are still high.is there anything to do or add to help?

40 gal
1 fluval 404
1 jebo
3x uv turbo twist
250w 20k mh
150 sea clone skimmer

would taking the carbon out and replacing it help? should i do away with the can. filters and let my live rock be the filter?-i have no refugium though

[FragOutpost]

10ppm nitrate is not extraordinarily high, but yes I would look into doing away with the canister filter and using lots of live rock, setting up a refugium, and possibly a deep sand bed or a remote deep sand bed.