damn nitrate problem

[microreefguy]

hey, for those of you who don't know, ive started my 3.5 gal over from scratch and am having the worst time cycling it. i'm using LR and LS. it used to have an eclipse system filter, but i changed it out with a millenium 1000. it has an adjustable valve and a thing for holding bacteria. i left the carbon out and replaced it with chemi-pure. my water looks fantastic. it's been running from january 2 and there seems to be no change in anything. i've used cycle a few times and ammonia bounces between 1.0 and 1.5, nitrites between .25 and 1.0, and nitrates shot up to 140+. there are no phosphates in my water. because of the nitrates, i have a horrible infestation of red slime algea. i change my water once a week. i have a rio 50 pump in it as well. there is plenty of water movement going on. i just can't control the nitrates. sholud i start doing water changes every three to four days or is there anything i can get to eliminate nitrates?

i also have some corals (sort of).

[jman785]

There is a reason for your high nitrates, could be feeding, something dead...anything....scope it out....if you can't find anything, slow the feeding down, look at what your feeding in general and increase water changes, if all else fails...post back and I'll help you work something out.

[rememberme]

blow the rocks with a powerhead or something, stir the sand and keep the filter running without the powerhead for a bit so the bits of sh!t get sucked up the filter rather than blown in the corners or something...

probably wont help - but anyway...

[microreefguy]

i don't have any living animals except for corals. so, i'm not feeding anything. i have a powerhead, and it grows right in front of where it blows out of. i'm doing more frequent water changes. it doesn't seem to be helping me yet.