nitrates!!!!!

[aquareefer]

Hi everyone! I have a question about nitrates. I have been cycling 75 lbs. of uncured rock in my new set-up. Ammonia and nitrites are now at zero but my nitrates are about 100ppm!!!!!
I'm doing a large water change today to cope with the high numbers. Will these numbers eventually do down on their own once the anaerobic bacteria population increases? I would like to add my clean-up crew so I can get rid of all of the leftover decaying matter that I can't get myself. Is there anything I can safely add right now? Thanx in advance!

Specs:
72g AGA bow
15g sump
260w PC
350w heater
Aquaclear Aquatics mp75 skimmer
3 PH plus return for water movement (I'm pushing about 600g/hr)
75lbs live rock
1-2" sandbed
At this point no refugium but hopefully will add one in a few months

[JennM]

What brand of test kit are you using? That's high for a new cycle... but not impossible.

I'd give it some more time. Some hardy inverts will tolerate that, but I wouldn't put stuff in until it's below 50, and better yet, below 20.

Crank up the skimmer - I'd have used a model 150 for your tank... the 75 is kinda small - good for a 55 gallon *maybe*... open the venturi all the way and run it wet, that will help.

You might want to take some saltwater, and swish your rocks off in it (outside of the tank) and that will remove some of the die-off debris. You might be surprised how much junk you rinse off.

HTH

Jenn