BigJim
Aquarium Advice Addict
Were you holding the nitrite test tube against the card when you read it? The nitrite test is easy to misread if it's not against the white background of the card. My pessimism leads me to guess that you're seeing a false positive.
If I were you, here's the way I would proceed.
1. Do a big PWC. 50% at least. Add your dechlorinator before refilling the tank. Test for ammonia. If you're not below 4ppm, do another PWC. It won't hurt anything and I've found a PWC will help a stalled cycle.
2. Ask your LFS for a cup of gravel or something out of their filters. Some might charge you something, but it'll speed the cycle.
3. Crank your heater if you haven't done so.
4. Be patient. The first time I did a fishless cycle, I was a little generous with the ammonia and I stalled the cycle. It took six weeks to finally complete, but probably would have taken three or four if I hadn't stalled it out. The cycle picked up after I added a cup of sand from an established tank.
If I were you, here's the way I would proceed.
1. Do a big PWC. 50% at least. Add your dechlorinator before refilling the tank. Test for ammonia. If you're not below 4ppm, do another PWC. It won't hurt anything and I've found a PWC will help a stalled cycle.
2. Ask your LFS for a cup of gravel or something out of their filters. Some might charge you something, but it'll speed the cycle.
3. Crank your heater if you haven't done so.
4. Be patient. The first time I did a fishless cycle, I was a little generous with the ammonia and I stalled the cycle. It took six weeks to finally complete, but probably would have taken three or four if I hadn't stalled it out. The cycle picked up after I added a cup of sand from an established tank.