Nitrate source found - question

[MadReefer]

I discovered what is casuing high nitrates in my tank(40ppm). Even though the sand bed is shallow 1/4 inch approximately. I did a water change and decide to clean the sand as one spot seemed dirty. The amount of dirt in there was gross the water was actually brown in the bucket, I changed about 10 gallons. I plan in keeping up water changes and clean the sand. First question is I keep sucking up much sand; how do I prevent that? Second one is should I stir the sand bed daily so the dirt comes out and sucked up into the filter sock and skimmer?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[mnat]

Get a siphon to clean the sand . You suck up a bit at a time. I posted a link in another thread, but I am posting froma cell.

 

[George]

my nitrates were high so i did the same thing last weekend and got the same results.