cycling question

[Switzer]

i finally got my 40 gallon breeder set up, i have 20lbs base rock, 30lbs sand, 8 lbs live sand, 15lbs live rock. i put the live rock in 2 days ago and i checked my readings today, ammonia was 0ppm, nitrite 5.0ppm, nitrate, 20ppm. i thought the ammonia was supposed to spike first and i didnt see it spike. i am confused and dont know whats going on..lol

 

[mr_X]

the rock might not have enough dead matter on it to cause a spike. you might need to add some ammonia source, like a cocktail shrimp.