Hows My Fishless Cycle Going?

[Phishy25]

Well after having my tank sat in my front room for over a year with just a lump of Bogwood for company I decided to set it back up as a tropical community tank.

It is an Evasion 120 - 264 litres. Eheim external filter, air supply, lighting etc (as in profile). I started it all going on the 2nd Jan 2011. pH- 7.5, Ammonia-0, Nitrites-0, Nitrates-10 (first reading)

So raised ammonia levels to 5ppm, as stated in add and wait method.

Yesterday the ammonia had dropped back to zero, so I added same amount of ammonia. Tested today and ammonia dropped to zero again (so thats in 24hrs). Nitrites are off the scale. I have added ammonia again to 5ppm. I'm assuming I continue until Nitrites go back to zero with 12 hrs.

My water is clear, but white algae growing on my bogwood and white/brown deposists building up on glass. This is normal right?

I did unfortunately add 4 plants before I realised I should have added these once fully cycled. However, they are growing like mad and have new shoots and baby plants growing from them! Only been in tank 4 days!!!

Last time I cycled this tank (about 3 years ago) it fully cycled in 2 weeks! Am I just a jammy cow or have I missed something?

 

[Skins]

Hello,
You are now at the nitrite spike stage, so may i suggest you lower the ammonia dose to 2ppm while at this stage to prevent to much biuld up of nitrite in the waters chemistry. As soon as you start to see your nitrites being processed to nitrates then up the dose back to 5ppm.
Yes its quite normal to see brown deposits within the aquarium whilst fishless cycling, come the end of the cycle this will be cleared with a good water change/gravel vac.

Keith.