Nitrates - LFS giving bad advice??

[jj48]

My tank is 5 weeks old and I had the ammonia and nitrites to spike in the first week. My nitrates are holding at about 12.5.
LFS said to vacuum the substrate in order to lower the nitrates. I reminded him it was live sand and he said to crimp the line and I will be fine. That does not sound right to me! Any suggestions? I am not in a good location for a water change, but I can if there are no other options. Can I just wait it out? Please help!!
65G tank
65# LR
50# LS
4 domino damsels
Wet/dry filter (with bio balls)
skimmer
There is a lot of brown algae in the tank and I am ready to get a cleamup crew! Keeping the lights off is NO FUN!
Thanks in advance!

 

[arkey.d]

Don't vacuum your LiveSand. The Brown Diatoms are normal and will go away on there own. Once your Ammonia and Nitrites are zero then do a 20% water change to bring down your nitrates and then your good to go.....

 

[mbrands]

Originally posted by jj48
I am not in a good location for a water change
You do realize that regular water changes are necessary right? I'm not sure what you meant by this comment.

 

[jj48]

Originally posted by mbrands
You do realize that regular water changes are necessary right? I'm not sure what you meant by this comment.
Yes.

 

[reefnut]

Don't vacuum your LS. Are you running a refuge?? A refuge would help. Water changes, water changes & water changes with RO/DI water would be best IMO.

 

[cowfishrule]

i use tap water for my w/c's, and the diatoms finally went away...