Fishless Cycling - Take 2!

[Ruthc1985]

Right, so a while ago (4 weeks or so) I began a fishless cycle and got nowhere fast - something stalled my cycle and ammonia and nitrite just got stuck at the same high level for about 2 weeks, so I decided to start again, took out as much water as I could, dosed up with ammonia to 2-3ppm, and waited. 
 
Quite soon (within a few days) my ammonia began to drop which was great, and I redosed to 2-3ppm. I've also been testing for nitrites and nitrates too which is where it gets interesting. I haven't seen a hint of nitrites, but the last couple of days my nitrates have begun to rise (yesterday 10ppm, today 20ppm).
 
So, daily readings to date are:
 
Day 1 (11th April): dosed to 3ppm ammonia, added 5ml of API quick start
Day 2: (12th) : Ammonia 2ppm, 
Day 3 (13th): Ammonia 1ppm, added 5ml  quick start
Day 4 (14th): Ammonia 0.5-1ppm
Day 5 (15th): Ammonia 0.5ppm, added 5ml quick start
Day 6 (16th): Ammonia 0.25ppm, added ammonia bringing level back to 2ppm, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 10ppm, pH8
Day 7 (17th): Ammonia 0.5ppm, Nitrite 0ppm, Nitrate showing 20-30ppm.
 
 
So any ideas what is going on with the nitrites? IS it possible that bacteria from my previous cycle attempt are clearing this? I have also diluted the tank water with tap water to check the nitrite isn't off the scale and producing a false negative, and diluting it still produces a negative result.
 
Another confusing thing is the nitrate reading - API master kit (used for readings given above) gives high nitrate readings, I have also been testing nitrate with the JBL kit which is giving a much lower reading (veyr pale yellow, indicating 1-5ppm).
 
I think my cycle is heading in the right direction, but still a bit confused over whats going on with it :s

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I dislike Quick Start as it has the wrong bacteria. But it will handle early high nitrite well since it contains Nitrobacter which will get replaced by the nitrospira which are the ones that you want. They do not list which Nitrosomonas they have in the bottle for ammonia, so who knows?
 
You had some bacteria left as well from your first try. You are doing a cycle with some level of seeding and with some functional but incorrect bacteria. None of the numbers you have seen or will see will make sense relative to the cycling article.
 
You are learning why nitrate tests stink and can't be trusted in terms of absolute levels.
 
Please stop adding the quick start is my first suggestion. Then continue to cycle for a while. Assume you are at the equivalent of the end of the fishless cycle article and proceed according to the instructions for after the snack dose. Please dose to 3 ppm not 2 and do not top off. Dose a full 3 ppm equivalent when its time to dose.

 

[Ruthc1985]

Thanks TTA - I aim to reach 3ppm, although in 19 litres its a fine line between adding too much and too little! My previous cycling attempt had used media from a friends tank which I imagine will have helped provide some of the right bacteria.
 
Now that the cycle seems to have begun, I had intended to stop adding the quick start anyway. Will keep seeing how it goes...at least its moving though

 

[TwoTankAmin]

One was to deal with smaller ammonia amounts is to mix a larger amount into water and then dose a more easier measured amount of water. For example. Lets say the needed amount of ammonia is .25ml. If you have one of the cheap plastic pippets used for dosing plants or a child dosing syringe that measures in ml. You put 4 ounces of tank water into  a measuring cup, add 1 ml of ammonia and stir. Then add 1 ounce of the water to the tank and you have pretty dang close to .25 ml of ammonia going in.

 

[Ruthc1985]

Today we have 0.5ppm NH3, 1-2ppm NO2!

 

[Ruthc1985]

I now seem to be fully cycled - been dosing the tank up with ammonia to 3ppm, and its gone within 12 hours!!! Picking up a betta tomorrow, woo!

 

[brittgs]

That is exciting!  Looking forward to seeing photos.