High nitrates. What's going on?

[wrassecal]

Guy, yes I got the caulerpa today. As usual it arrived in excellent condition. You really sent a lot too, THANKS.
If I just feed the brine eggs will my mandarin eat them?
That's why I'm doing it in first place, I wanted to supplement him once a week just in case of pod depletion. He's been in the tank about 5 months now and is doing well.

 

[wrassecal]

^

 

[bang guy]

Debi,
No, I'm afraid your Mandarin probably will not eat the eggs. Sorry, I didn't know the purpose, you're right.
Just strain the shrimp out if the water. The extra step of to rinse them but just removing them from the water is probably good enough.
I'm VERY glad that you're happy with the Caulerpa I TOLD you I'd be giving you more
Guy

 

[wrassecal]

That's what I'll do, strain and rinse them. I haven't done any brine this week and nitrates are holding at just under 40 a little less than right after the water change, so I do think the brine shrimp water was the problem.
The Tide is rolling into town tomorrow and right after the Sooners beat em back to 'bama I'll do another water change. Then next week I'll use the straining process. If we are right my problems will be solved
Thanks everyone for all the help and advise on this thread, it's much appreciated as always.
As a side note my bubble coral is really starting to perk up, so I'm thinking it was reacting to the high nitrates. Another bonus