Has My Tank Cycled?

[sufcdan]

Hi, firstly i am new here so a big hello to you all

I got a juwel trigon 190 for christmas and set it up roughly 2/3 weeks ago, and first started the cycle on the 16th of January. Here is a pic of my tank (Without the water!)

Now my question is - Has my tank cycled?

Here is a quick diary of whats happened so far: (Have been using the API Liquid test kit)

16th Jan Added first drops of ammonia
25th Jan noticed first decrease in ammonia & nitrite showed up
(Put the temp up)
Been testing the ammonia daily, the Nitrite peaked at 5ppm on the 25/26th Jan

Been keeping the ammonia at about 3ppm, and within 12 hours its at 0ppm

Now..today i tested for nitrite and first of all it went purple, then i let it stand for 15 minutes and it went a pale blue/green colour (Like the 0ppm colour on the nitrite test card)? Does this mean the cycle is very nearly done? (Seems abit quick tbh?) If you test the nitrite just after adding a dosing of ammonia will this make a difference?

Tested the nitrate and it came out a dirty orange colour.

Posted a pic of the Nitrate (Left) & Nitrite (Right) tests:

Anybody have any advice or opinions? Obviously i will keep adding ammonia to make sure it has DEFINENTLY cycled.

Many Thanks

 

[Weaver]

Im bumping this as theres been no reply and its dropped to the outer limits(page 2 )Hopefully someone can help him/her .Ive never done a fishless cycle myself so I dont really want to hazard a guess

 

[severina]

Tests don't usually show a correct reading after sitting there. What do your instructions say? Mine is 60 seconds, and after that it starts changing colors again.
Also, I can't tell you what your readings are because I don't know what testing kit you have, and if I did I don't have the chart for them, look at your chart.

Doesn't sound like the cycle is finished if the water wasn't the color of 0 ppm for nitrates. Read your kit directions!

 

[atmmachine816]

sorry cant help your in testing but just wanted to congratulate you on a nice tank

 

[pokagon55]

Depends on the test kit that ou have and the color reading that you get. It takes normally 4 to 6 weeks to cycle a tank at 78 degrees. With my color test kit I have very yellow for my ammonia when it is 0 ppm,A lite blue when the nitites are 0ppm and darkish brown or redish when the nitrates are at 20 ppm.
Nobody can tell you when your tank is cycled with the lack of info that you have given.

sorry