After words we cleaned the tank (nothing else in there) the nitrates skyrocketed!

[lovefishys]

Thought we were doing great with our saltwater. Our seahorses are doing great so far. But our 75 gallon we are having some trouble with. We just introduced a lion fish tonight. He was not doing well and passed away. We tested out water and it was all normal. But our nitrates were a little high (5). After words we cleaned the tank (nothing else in there) the nitrates skyrocketed! We found a lot of fish poop under the rocks. We have been using the vacuum but didn't think to move the rocks. We have a 20 gallon sump with ref and protein skimmer. So how do we lower the nitrates? Is it ok to remove the sand completely or just have a little? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Nu-Nu the eel]

moving sand and rocks released the toxins underneith. That is why your nitrated went much much higher, because i assume you moved sand and rocks. Dont. To get your nitrates down you must do waterchanges asap.

Btw 5 nitrates isnt high at all. What were the trates at when they "skyrocketed" ?