noob chronicles...... what would you do next

[hillegom]

Sounds like you are going through a cycle. I would not buy anything live until the nitrates settle down.
That is if your test kit is ok. Maybe bring in a sample of water to your local LFS to check.

[SaltyDog143]

The high nitrate level is in the quarantine tank, the green algae is in the display, only rocks and sand in the display tank just yet, the test kits was bought this past weekend, I hope its good?

The original water in the quarantine tank is from the tank the rock and fish came out of, last night we did 25% change, tonight we did another 50% change, will see how the nitrates are tomorrow night.

[Madreefer]

I don't know if the other members that read your OP over looked what you said or think it doesn't matter. But did you not transport this rock for a while, cold water dip it and than leave out in the cold on your deck for a while? IMO you may have killed or possibly damaged it enough that it'll cause you problens like your experiencing now. Good luck