Nitrites & Nitrates High

I'm in the middle of my first cycle of my 55 gallon SW tank. Everything looks good except my Nitrites and Nitrates are pretty high. I have about 17 pounds of rock which has been in there for 2-3 weeks with 2 clown fish and 1 Yellowtail Blue Damsel. Any ideas what I should do? Water change?

Thanks in advance
Rob
 
I would get around 33lbs more rock (dry is cheaper) and do some water changes. Fish really shouldnt be added until after the cycle, but since they are already in there start changing water.
 
A few notes.

1. It is not safe, as it normally kills the fish, to add them during the cycle.

2. It is recommended to have 1 to 2 times the amount of rock that you have for the capacity of the tank. (I currently have 72 lbs of rock in my 55 gallon tank.)

3. Normally, when the nitrites are high until it totally drops off which is the normal indication that a water change is needed to help drop the Nitrates. When you say pretty high, what is that number?

4. Good luck.
 
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