Nitrates jumped very hi established tank

I had posted my question under the thread about high nitrates. No one answered me so I figured repost as a new thread. My nitrates, as soon as I shook the test tub went right to red. I never had it that high. I had just cleaned out the filter pads in a trickle filter, the day before. Made the tank very cloudy. I figured this might have added to the nitrate count.
My ph was 8, ammonia was a little below in color .25, nitrites was 0. Nitrates way up there, higher than one can imagine. My fish are doing well that is why I figured the nitrates went up when I removed the pads to clean the filter. I have a protein skimmer. 90 gallon tank. The fish I have is niger trigger, clown, damsel, and just added a puffer fish. Have just rocks and sand in tank.
Just did a 30 percent water change. Brought the nitrates down from 160 to 80. I guess I need another water change. How often can I do one. Oh I didn't clean out the filters that much. Just rinsed them out. I used prime and I think it is called Strezz. or something like that. So should I do another water change or just wait. Or is there something I can add to the water? Also thought about putting live plants into the trickle filter. Guess it is a bio wheel one hangs on back of tank with two wheels that turn. What kind of plants would survive in salt water?? Help pls thanks Lynda

 

Welcome to 3reef Lynda.

Are you doing routine cleaning for the filter material and water changes?
Retest some freshly mixed SW (prior to adding to the display) and see if what values you have, also double check the results at the local fish store.
I would do small more frequent water changes, changing a smaller volume of water decreases stressful changes in parameters/water chemistry.
Adding MacroAlgae will do nothing immediately it takes a while to see the results.
If the fish are not stressed just keep changing water and double check results.

 

How large and how old is the tank? FOWLR, I assume?

It wouldn't surprise me if you disturbed some gunk in that filter and caused your nitrates to jump. The ammonia reading (if accurate) indicates that your tank is either going through a mini-cycle, or something fairly large died (depending on the size of your tank), IMO. It's also entirely possible that your test kit is faulty/expired. Have you checked multiple times? Is it feasible for you to have an LFS test your water?

Also, puffers are messy as all get-out. Don't be surprised to see your nitrates jump with him in there. There's gonna be half eaten food all over the place...

I would wait a day or two and do another decent-sized water change. 80 isn't really an emergency. Your fish will likely survive it, though they aren't likely to enjoy it. I would be more worried about that ammonia reading, small though it is.

 

How long has this tank been set up for?
So all your filtration comes from hang on back filters?
How often and how many gallons do you normally do your water changes?
I would rinse out your filter pads weekly if I where you.
Like what was said above I recommend doing smaller and more frequent water changes till you get your nitrates to a manageable level. Any time you are changing parameters in your aquarium you want to do it in a slow controlled manner.

OOOO yea and Welcome to 3reef