Moving rock mid cycle

[mahargkcin]

I am cycling rock in a brute with an air pump, a circ pump, and a heater. I used a raw shrimp for ammonia source. I tested it today and got 8 ppm ammonia, 2 ppm nitrite, and 5 ppm nitrate. It's been in there for about 5 weeks.
I planned on having the rock fully cycle in the basement, then to bring the display tank once it was reading zeros for ammonia and nitrite. But now the tank is up and running I am getting the itch to scape the tank and such.
Is it ok to move into the display mid cycle? Do I need to wait it out for another few weeks? Is the 8 ppm ammonia too high?
This is the first time I have tested the water. I was told to put a couple shrimp in and not mess with it for 2 months- except for top offs.

 

[Big G]

Nothing good happens "fast" in this hobby. I'd consider riding out the cycle in the Brute, then adding to the display. Ammonia is no bueno.

 

[mahargkcin]

Do I need to do a water change to get the ammonia down to 2-4 ppm?

 

[Big G]

I’d consider adding some BioSpira, Seachem Stability, etc. to help the cycle along. Takes about 2 weeks when starting from scratch for the ammonia eating bacteria to peak and drip your ammonia readings to zero. And then the nitrites will begin to rise, peak and then drop to zero. Then it’s time for huge water changes 50% or so to get the nitrates down to the 10ish range.

 

[mahargkcin]

I forgot to say, I did start with Dr tims. I used a full medium sized bottle. I have seachem stability on hand that I will use.

 

[DLHDesign]

Pretty sure anything above 2ppm starts to kill some of the known strains of beneficial bacteria. >5ppm is lethal to most of them, IIRC. So yes - I would suggest doing as close to a 100% water change as you can. You could move the rock into the display during this change over if you wished (it's unlikely you'll create more ammonia from the move than you already have).

I do agree with @Big G - adding something to help move your cycle forward would be a good idea after you do the water change/rock move.

 

[mahargkcin]

Did a water change, added another bottle of Dr tims. Ammonia was down in the 2 ppm range yesterday.