Little help with nitrates and such

[Scott Jungdahl]

I was getting algae (may have been diatom - same color) on tank walls so I decided to do some housekeeping. I did a 20% water change and siphoned gravel/sand bed. I then did the same for the sump except it was 90% change. The sump produced very dirty water.
Everything seems healthy but I have high nitrates.
I'm collecting water for another change and have a skimmer on the way. Any other suggestions? If I have high nitrates doesn't that rule out diatom?
thanks in advance

 

[d2mini]

High nitrates is dirty water. Lots of things you can do.
Water changes and a skimmer being the top two.
You could also try feeding less, siphoning detritus in the tank and sump, and growing macro algae like chaeto.

BTW, when you say "high", what exactly are we talking about? Greater than 10ppm? Greater than 20ppm?

 

[Scott Jungdahl]

40ppm or about there

 

[d2mini]

Yeah, that's kinda high.

I would continue with weekly water changes. Do 20% every week for a while and get a skimmer. You should see them start to come down.

 

[kbuser92]

The cadet's logic is sound. It would be wise to follow his advice.

Maybe @wontonflip will join us and quote Spock.