Sump and high nitrate

[PeterEde]

I am at a loss to explain why my nitrates continue to rise daily.
I am now thinking it's due to my sump and the flow. AC pump with check valve? My flow seems quiet low. I put a check valve to stop baskwash during WC to stop the crud washing back into the tank on restart.
1st section is the start of a fuge with LR, Macro algae.
2nd has skimmer and a lot of bio blocks crammed together. I'm thinking these need to be better spaced apart?
3rd return pump surrounded with more bio blocks.

Show me your sumps please.
Preferably those who have smaller 30gal DT

I'll post a photo when I get home

Thanks for your help

 

[blaxsun]

You know what's missing? Basic filtration.

 

[PeterEde]

You know what's missing? Basic filtration.

?
I have a sock on the down pipe

 

[blaxsun]

Without knowing the size of tank and return pump, it's impossible to tell if flow is a factor. How often do you replace the filter sock(s) with laundered ones? (not just rinsed)

 

[PeterEde]

Without knowing the size of tank and return pump, it's impossible to tell if flow is a factor. How often do you replace the filter sock(s) with laundered ones? (not just rinsed)

Dt is 30gal
Sock changed daily
Rinsed and dried

 

[PeterEde]

Oddly nitrates down today by 6ppm

 

[neo.rbk]

Please mention the bio-load of your main tank. Though I am not sure about the bio-load but you can try to reduce it and let the tank cycle for 2days. Change 50% and wait for another 24hrs and check nitrate level.

******Also - "2nd has skimmer and a lot of bio blocks crammed together. I'm thinking these need to be better spaced apart?" Just make sure the water flow through those blocks, not above those blocks.

 

[blaxsun]

Dt is 30gal
Sock changed daily
Rinsed and dried

Rinsed and dried isn't really sufficient. You really need to launder them in bleach (or similar) if you're going to re-use them. This entails having a half dozen or more clean socks that you can rotate in and out. Filter floss in a media basket that you can discard is another option.

 

[xiaoxiy]

Rinsed and dried isn't really sufficient. You really need to launder them in bleach (or similar) if you're going to re-use them. This entails having a half dozen or more clean socks that you can rotate in and out.

I don't believe this.

I am at a loss to explain why my nitrates continue to rise daily.
I am now thinking it's due to my sump and the flow. AC pump with check valve? My flow seems quiet low. I put a check valve to stop baskwash during WC to stop the crud washing back into the tank on restart.
1st section is the start of a fuge with LR, Macro algae.
2nd has skimmer and a lot of bio blocks crammed together. I'm thinking these need to be better spaced apart?
3rd return pump surrounded with more bio blocks.

Show me your sumps please.
Preferably those who have smaller 30gal DT

I'll post a photo when I get home

Thanks for your help

What's your bioload in the system and how much do you feed? Finally, do you do any water changes in addition to the filtration?

 

[PeterEde]

Rinsed and dried isn't really sufficient. You really need to launder them in bleach (or similar) if you're going to re-use them. This entails having a half dozen or more clean socks that you can rotate in and out. Filter floss in a media basket that you can discard is another option.

These are only the redsea mesh socks. I had a finer sock but stopped using it.