Should I start again?

I will continue doing water changes until a recommendation is made or the problem resolves itself.

 

3 weeks later after this post and my nitrates stayed roughly the same. I seem not to be able to over-come this nitrates issue.

 

This seems really odd,have you had your water tested elsewhere such as your lfs or a friend with a different kit? Is it possible that an additional shrimp or something is lost in the rockwork and feeding the nitrogen cycle?When you make water for a water change have you tried testing that for nitrates before adding?

 

Just reread your origanal post,how much live rock did you add and was it cured?If it was not cured that could very well be the source of your nitrates.If it was still full of dead organic matter(die off)you could in effect be curing it in your new tank.

 

I bought roughly around 5 lbs and no it was not cured - I added the small amount directly to the tank.

I tried to give the dry rock a quick clean - this is what I imagine is my problem. My solution was to re-scrub the rock but everyone has advised against it.

I have many tanks, I believe their is nothing different between the Fresh Water Nitrate test and the Reef Nitrate test! I will do this tonight!

It is possible, for example a sponge could easily be within the large pieces of rock work.

I have not BUT,

A: My discus tank uses tap water and the nitrates are below 5 PPM

B: For the salt water tank I am using RO DI water (Now, last 5 changes)

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Other pieces of information

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1: I do find small debris in the tank which is adding to my theory that my original scrubbing of the dry rock might not have been enough. I have 90lbs and the rocks where large.

2: My power went out for 12 hours approx. 5 days ago.

 

I might be missing something here but if I restarted a tank every time it was initially cycling I probably would have quite the hobby.

Do not scrub or rinse the rocks.

Double check the nitrates values against another kit or the LFS. I would also test the nitrate level of your source water.

I continue with a few more water changes and leave the lights off.

A tank cycling in 2 week with dry rock is just not going to happen.

Be patient, double check the results and leave the lights off.

 

That was my first thought, good call Cheryl. Lights are not necessary for the tank to cycle, but they are necessary to grow algae.

Also noticed that you have snails in the tank during the cycle, in the second picture.

This is NOT good advice. Be wary of what these people tell you from here on in. If you need good advice, ask it here, first. Please.;D