Help with Chemicals!

[saltnewb]

Okay, I'm confused now. My 55gal tank has been running for 5 weeks or so. All my levels are high except pH which is low, 7.8. My LFS is saying I need to do major water changes, but everything that I've read on this forum says nopt to do any water changes during the cycle. I haven't seen the spike in ammonia and nitrates, they've just always been high, so I don't know how to tell when the cycle is over. :help: please! Oh, and my salinity is also high.
And when should I add LR?

 

[bang guy]

In my opinion you should have added your live rock right away. There's no reason to test PH during the cycle because it's going to fluctuate a lot.
If you have animals on the live rock you would like to keep then feel free to do water changes to keep the Ammonia level below 0.5. I don't understand the theory behind no water change during the cycle. Doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[saltnewb]

I think the logic behind no water changes is so the bacteria you are building up aren't lost. So should I add the LR now, or wait for the cycle to be finished?

 

[bang guy]

Add it now.
The bacteria don't live in the water column so removing water doesn't decrease the population.

 

[saltnewb]

Thanks for your help!