Ammonia vanishing out of nowhere? Help with fishless cycle

[enfiskejer]

I'm cycling my tank at the moment and I'm still on stage one, https://www.fishforums.net/threads/simplified-fishless-cycling-instructions.476263/
I dosed the ammonia and it read 3.5 or 4ppm, I test it again in 3 days still the same, I test it again in 4 days. All of a sudden ammonia is at 1ppm and nitrite is at zero, I have no live plants yet, I haven't added water to dilute it, haven't cleaned my canister.
My ph is 7.6 and the water has been at 28-29 degrees (It's been really hot in Perth).

I've just tested it again 4 days later (oops) and ammonia still 1ppm but Nitrite has gone up to 1ppm or 1.5ppm.
I tested nitrate and the test didn't work, the powder wouldn't mix. I have the Aqua One 5 in 1 Master test kit.

I have a couple questions:
1. Do I add more ammonia
2. Am I on the right track?
3. How do you dispose of the test tube water?

 

[Oblio]

#3 - I dispose down the sink/drain (hoping that is the Oz term) with plenty of tap water to dilute.

 

[outofwater]

You're almost there, the parameters are within shot. You've got bacteria because the ammonia is converting to nitrite, and soon you'll start getting nitrate.

Barring comments from more experienced hobbyists, I suggest you test daily until you reach the next parameters and just stick with the steps as outlined.

 

[enfiskejer]

#3 - I dispose down the sink/drain (hoping that is the Oz term) with plenty of tap water to dilute.

Yep thank you!

 

[enfiskejer]

You're almost there, the parameters are within shot. You've got bacteria because the ammonia is converting to nitrite, and soon you'll start getting nitrate.

Barring comments from more experienced hobbyists, I suggest you test daily until you reach the next parameters and just stick with the steps as outlined.

Ok perfect! I'm so excited

 

[enfiskejer]

I've moved onto stage 2. I added the full ammonia dose two days ago. I didn't test it because I completely forgot and was too busy yesterday...
I've finally had time today and its at 0, I don't understand. Have my nitrites already eaten all of the ammonia? Or am I missing something?
Not sure what to do next-

 

[Essjay]

Nitrites don't eat ammonia, bacteria eat ammonia and poop out nitrite

Have you tested for nitrate?
Have you used a bacterial starter?

You could take a sample of tank water to a fish store and ask them to test nitrite to confirm that your nitrite tester is working properly.





Can I check that you are using the testers correctly (it sometimes happens that members mis-read the instructions).
Ammonia - add drops from bottle A, cap tube and shake then add drops from bottle B, cap tube and shake, read colour after 5 minutes.
Nitrite - add drops from bottle A, cap tube and shake, add drops from bottle B, cap tube and shake, read colour after 5 minutes
Nitrate - add scoop of reagent A, cap tube and shake, add scoop of reagent B, cap tube and shake, add drops from bottle C, cap tube and shake, read colour after 5 minutes.

 

[enfiskejer]

Nitrites don't eat ammonia, bacteria eat ammonia and poop out nitrite

Have you tested for nitrate?
Have you used a bacterial starter?

You could take a sample of tank water to a fish store and ask them to test nitrite to confirm that your nitrite tester is working properly.





Can I check that you are using the testers correctly (it sometimes happens that members mis-read the instructions).
Ammonia - add drops from bottle A, cap tube and shake then add drops from bottle B, cap tube and shake, read colour after 5 minutes.
Nitrite - add drops from bottle A, cap tube and shake, add drops from bottle B, cap tube and shake, read colour after 5 minutes
Nitrate - add scoop of reagent A, cap tube and shake, add scoop of reagent B, cap tube and shake, add drops from bottle C, cap tube and shake, read colour after 5 minutes.

Firstly thanks for the reply!
I tried testing for nitrate before I added the second full dose, I don't know if I did something wrong but reagent B wouldn't dissolve. No matter how long I shook it, it just stayed in the centre like sand.
I'm going to try again tomorrow.
I used a bacteria starter for the first like week after setting it up, (I didn't start cycling until about 3 weeks after putting water in however)
Yes, I am testing them correctly

 

[Oblio]

Nitrite - add drops from bottle A, cap tube and shake, add drops from bottle B, cap tube and shake, read colour after 5 minutes

Assuming API liquid test kit, isn't there just one bottle for Nitrite? Add drops from A, shake and wait 5 min?

 

[Essjay]

It's the Aqua One 5 test liquid kit. I looked up the manual and it says there are 2 powder and 1 liquid reagent to the nitrate test.

I have the Aqua One 5 in 1 Master test kit.

 

[Oblio]

It's the Aqua One 5 test liquid kit. I looked up the manual and it says there are 2 powder and 1 liquid reagent to the nitrate test.

My bad, I missed the test kit description

 

[Essjay]

I had to look twice to find it

 

[enfiskejer]

I took some water to the pet shop and they tested it. Nitrite was at 5ppm and Nitrate was at 80ppm. The lady that tested it for me- looked so sad to tell me the bad news (she obviously thought I had fish in my tank)
What do you think I should do next?
Do I add the snack dose and move onto stage three?

 

[Essjay]

Yes, do the snack dose.

But you do need a new nitrite tester if your current one is giving false readings






Side issue, but I wonder why Aqua One includes KH in their master kit and not GH, which is more important than KH?

 

[enfiskejer]

Yes, do the snack dose.

But you do need a new nitrite tester if your current one is giving false readings






Side issue, but I wonder why Aqua One includes KH in their master kit and not GH, which is more important than KH?

Ok I'll do that, I don't think it is wrong but its definitely a little dodgy (all the colours on the chart are incredibly similar). I probably read it a bit wrong..
Its the nitrate that doesn't work-

That is so weird! I read the instructions for the test and its a bit odd. I bought a separate Api KH & GH tester.
Also, if I had've known that there was a better kit I would've got it (oops)