Tank Emergency!!

[scumchug]

Your tank is very new, only 4 months isn't very old. You can expect nitrate spikes for at least 6 months. Some tanks take the better part of a year to stabilize.

A sump will help flatten out the spikes. I wouldn't worry at all as long as your PO4 and NO2 levels are 0

30 nitrate isn't bad. I know of tanks that run at 180 or more. The fish seem to survive, the corals slowly die, but last months.