To adress a few comments on this thread:
1. The aquarium hobby has many different opinions. Because there are so many aspects and possibilities it is constantly evolving, and some people keep up with this and some don't. The thing is, if it works, then it works. If BBradbury doesn't vacuum detritus from his tank but his tanks are successful (which I know is true) then that will work fine for you too. If others do vacuum their detritus, and it works well, then you can too. I have to say that either way your tank will be clean. It is helpful to do a gravel vacuum at least once a month because it does prevent ammonia buildup, but BBradbury is right that you can take out that ammonia
after it dissolves if you would like.
2. This hobby is a science, except maybe for the aquascaping part (but even then there is quite literally a ratio for making your planted tank look good
). So you need to think like this: If you have no nitrites and no new nitrates (just those from your tap) then the ammonia isn't being broken down at any noticeable rate. If you've been cycling for 6 weeks then something is wrong. Are there are any plants in the tank that could be sucking up nitrite/nitrate? I don't see why else you wouldn't have any yet. Also, have you had a bacterial bloom yet?