Need help. Trying to cycle with fish.

[edisondave]

I got my first real fish tank for my family to enjoy, a 55 gallon. Im trying to get it cycled, im three weeks in with first 10 days no fish, then added 3 black tetras and 3 zebra danios. I started out using the test strips(garbage), and just got the masterkit which is 100 times better. I've been doing about a 20% water change like every other day which has been keeping the ammonia between 1 and 2. So my questions are should I keep doing what im doing or do I need to change something. Also when I do the water changes I dont vacume the gravel, should I be , or does that need to be left alone for the good bacteria to grow? I also have the emperor 400 filter, I shouldnt change any filter pads or mess with anything in there til I get it cycled right? Last question, how high can I let the ammonia levels get and do I nedd to keep them around a certain level to get the nitrites going? I appreciate any help I can get, thanks.

 

[WhiteDevil]

dont vacuum the gravel or change the filter pads. I use CYCLE to help get my tanks established once the fish get added to it, its "good" bacteria.
I think once they hit certain levels others kick in to equilize the tank.