Nitrite Troubles, Cycling Tank

[Georgiarose]

Hi all, really desperate for some help at the mo for my new fluval fresh 129L.
I began fishless cycling (using household ammonia) 5 weeks ago now. Was dosing up to the 3ppm level consistenly. The tank is filtered by a fluval 206, very fine black gravel, lots of plastic plants, a thin piece of bogwood, and stacked rock (do not know exact type..most likely to be sandstone). After the first week I was getting a steady level of ammonia, no nitrite or nitrate. By week 3 nitrite had began to rise, ammonia was falling and was quickly followed by high levels of nitrate. The 3ppm of ammonia was clearing within 24 hrs, although nitrite and nitrate remained high, so did a big 80% water change. Reduced my nitrate slightly but still had massive level of nitrite (off the chart). I've since done 3 water changes (spaced out over 2 weeks) two 30% and one 50%. All that happens is a small reduction in my nitrate. I'm still adding ammonia steadily (although reducing the level to 2ppm) as when I stopped it didnt seem to help anything.
I don't know where to go from here, my ammonia is dissappearing within 24 hrs but there is just no lowering my nitrite or nitrate Is there something that i'm doing wrong? Or is it possible that rock can bring extreme levels of nitrite?? I'd appreciate any help

 

[TwoTankAmin]

It takes about 5-6 additions of ammonia to cycle a tank without fish. It appears your are adding ammonia a lot more than that if i have rad the situation right. That explains all your issues.
 
Did you read this article? http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first

 

[Georgiarose]

Thanks for the reply! I did go about 8 days or so last week without adding any ammonia - nothing seemed to change and I thought I ought to keep adding small levels to feed the bacteria...I might stop altogether then if that's causing it! I have read that link, helpful but I'm stuck on the 2nd/halfway stage with no real explanation why

 

[Georgiarose]

Has anyone else got any advice

 

[TwoTankAmin]

When one adds too much ammonia, you end up with way too much nitrite you cannot even measure. yhis level of nitrite stalls a cycle and kills bacteria.
 
Do a hger water change and try to get your numbers into the range at this point of a fishless cycle as in the article:
 

 
After the maintenance feeding (snack Dose #3), whenever you test and ammonia is .25 ppm or lower and nitrite is clearly under 1 ppm, it is time to add another full ammonia dose (Dose #4) and then test in 24 hours.
 
 If ammonia and nitrite both read 0 ppm, you are cycled. Do a large water change, be sure the water is the proper temperature, and add fish. The odds are this will not be the case quite this soon.
 
 If ammonia and nitrite do not both read zero, continue to test daily. Whenever ammonia is again at .25 ppm or less and nitrite is clearly under 1 ppm, add the full amount of ammonia (Dose #5) and test in 24 hours. Follow this pattern of testing and adding (this would be Dose #6, #7 etc.) until both tests do read 0 ppm within 24 hours. The cycle should not take much longer to be completed and even with slower tanks one should not need to go beyond Dose #6 or #7.

 
you want to change enough water to get tour tank to the red text above and once you do, follow the instructions to the letter.