I am at 3 water changes in the last week on mine! because of 5+nitrite and 160+nitrates for the last 3 days! Ugh.
Just out of curiosity...how much longer after u had levels like this were u done cycling?
I think the worse enemy here is impatience. I have cycled tanks over the years without a single test kit with very good results.
Still in the middle of this cycle and just did the last change today!
Before the change my levels were
Ammo 0ppm
Nitrite 5+ppm to dark to ready
Nitrate 160+ again to dark to read
pH 7.6
I am using filter material from my other tank and I have actually only been at it for 5 days! I am actually hoping to have it done by Wednesday. Fingers crossed!
P.S. I have been prepping the filter media for about a month in my other filters.