1 1/2 months 29 Gal Fishless Cycle for Future Axolotl - Need some advice please :)

[seule_ext777]

Hello everyone!
I am currently 1 1/2 months into my fishless cycle and I need some advice on how to know if it's finished or not along with some other things.

Tank specs:
-29 gallon
- Filtration: AquaClear 30 Power Filter
- Temperature: 70 degrees
- One small golden pothos plant hanging out of the filter
- some decor including fake plants and two caves
- I have insulation wrapped around it to keep it cold for in the future along with a clip-on fan
- I have not done a single water change other than adding water from evaporation(dosed with prime)

Now, I tested the water 3/8/21 and the results were
PH: 7.2
Ammonia: 1.0ppm
Nitrite: 2.0 ppm
Nitrate: 5.0 ppm

I then dosed the ammonia back up to around 2ppm
(I don't test my tank every day so it can run through its own motions)
But I came back 3/14/21 and the results were:
PH: 7.4
Ammonia: 0.25ppm
Nitrite: 5.0 ppm
Nitrate: 10.0 ppm

I dosed it back up to 3 ppm

I came back 3/16/21 and the results were:
PH: 7.4
Ammonia: 0.25ppm
Nitrite: 5.0 ppm
Nitrate: 40.0 ppm

I dosed it back up to 2 ppm

I came back around an hour ago and the results read:
PH: 7.4
Ammonia: 0.50 ppm
Nitrite: 5.0 ppm
Nitrate: 5-10 ppm

What the heck is going on.. haha. Do I need to finally do a water change? Keep dosing ammonia or just wait it out?

Also, I realize I need to change the carbon filter but after reading: The (almost) Complete Guide and FAQ to Fishless Cycling I bought some filter media to replace it with but I'm not sure how to go about it... I don't want to kill any bacteria

Also, I want to change my HOB filter to a sponge filter because I realized axolotls like it to be quiet in the tank and I don't want to stress it out....but how does one go about changing filters?

SORRY FOR ALL THE QUESTIONS THANK YOUUU

 

[libertybelle]

If the pothos is growing well that could be where your nitrates are going. That or you didn’t shake bottle 2 enough!

Unfortunately you are cycling a filter. Deciding to change the filter means you’ll lose some of your progress. If you want to change filters you should add it and run it in parallel to seed it.