Cycling Question

[lola]

So I've read the sticky on fishless cycling and a lot of other posts but I'm still not sure. . .

I've been cycling for roughly 3 weeks. Everything was going well until I went away for 2 days and left my bf in charge and he didn't add any ammonia like I told him. Did I loose all my bacteria? Now my ammonia is still 4ppm to 0 in about 12 hours and my nitrite which was off the chart before I left is now at 0. Nitrates are high. Should the nitrite drop be that fast?
I just put the ammonia back up to about 4ppm. Is my cycle done? Also, I will not be able to get fish for a few days. Do I keep adding ammonia until then to keep up the bacteria? How soon before I add the fish do I stop adding ammonia? When should I do the big water change?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[OldMan47]

It sounds like you are at or very close to the end. If your ammonia is still dropping quickly and you are not seeing nitrites but only nitrates, you are there and congratulations. 2 days should not have set you back much at all since part of the time the bacteria would have been processing your last dose. When you have a chance to verify that you are done, the next step is a big water change to get your nitrates down before you start adding fish.

 

[lola]

It sounds like you are at or very close to the end. If your ammonia is still dropping quickly and you are not seeing nitrites but only nitrates, you are there and congratulations. 2 days should not have set you back much at all since part of the time the bacteria would have been processing your last dose. When you have a chance to verify that you are done, the next step is a big water change to get your nitrates down before you start adding fish.

How soon after the water change can I add fish?

Readings today:
Ammonia: between 0 and .25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: about 25 ppm
pH: 6.8