Should my Nitrites be this high

[kyarnkid]

I have been cycling my tank or about a month now and I was going to introduce damsels tomorrow, but my quick dip aqualab test kit said that my Nitrates are safe, but my Nitrites are toxic(5.0).
I have 12 pounds of live rock and about 30 pounds of "dead" rock. I really don't think I should do a water change this early into cycling. Is this just normal process and if it is not how do I get it down?
Thanks

 

[mlm]

I would not add anything to your tank until the cyle is complete. If you want to speed it up add 20lbs of live sand (from this site biactive livesand) and it will speed up the process.

 

[mr . salty]

Could be a falty test.Did you retest?? How about taking a sample to your LFS and see what results they get.It's kinda hard to believe that a one month old tank would have that high of 'Ites,and no 'Ates.

 

[predator]

I don't trust those dip sticks anyway.Get a test done at your lfs and see what they say.And I agree with mlm.Don't add anything yet.Live sand would speed the process up.

 

[fshhub]

ls and or more lr(cured), could help out, but i would get it tested at your lfs,
this is all things that you need to ride out, HANG in there, it should all be over soon,
then comes the addiction, after you see what can be done, vs. looking at all of the start up nuances(they really are worth it)
HTH

 

[toddius]

I agree to get your water tested again and be patient. My 55 reef took 7 weeks to completly cycle and I got the same type readings at about 4 weeks into the cycle. Be cautious and patient your almost there. Once the cycle is finished resist the urge to go overboard and fill your tank with livestock. It can cause your tank to recylce. Goodluck.