Here is an excellent article on fishless cycling. I have used the methods in it a few times with great success.
Fishless Cycling
Fishless Cycling
Here is an excellent article on fishless cycling. I have used the methods in it a few times with great success.
Fishless Cycling
Although as far as I know it's never been scientifically verified, it is possible that high nitrite could stall your cycle. Maybe do a water change until your nitrite gets down below 5 since at this point it could be well above that.
Here is an excellent article on fishless cycling. I have used the methods in it a few times with great success.
Fishless Cycling
"Testing for nitrate before nitrite has dropped to zero can only complicate and confuse. The determinants for a completed cycle are ammonia and nitrite tests that read zero. Yes, you may have nitrate because there is bacteria present converting nitrite to nitrate, but until they build enough to convert all of the nitrite, your aquarium is not considered cycled. Be patient and test for nitrate only after ammonia and nitrite read zero. The nitrate test is done only to determine the level of water changes needed before adding fish, not to determine if the aquarium is cycled. So, do not try to use it that way. "
Perhaps this is what's going on with my nitrate readings. Thanks for the link. I *think* I understand the process a little better now which always helps.