55 gallon- Ammonia not dropping (Fishless Cycling)

[rotorhead22]

I am currently cycling (fishless) my new 55 gallon tank. This is the first time I have had a 55 gallon (only 5, 10, 20 gal previously) and this is the first fishless cycel I have ever attempted. I have read alot of the threads in this forum and there is alot of great info. I seeded my tank with some live gravel and some material from my turtle tank which has a seasoned canister filter. Below is my log:

2/2/12
Initial ammonia add: 10 ml, 10% ammonia hydroxide (from ACE Hardware)
Initial readings after 1 hour:
NH3/NH4 (Ammonia) = 8 ppm (higher than 4 ppm)
NO2 (Nitrite)= 0 ppm
NO3= 0ppm
pH = 8.4
Temp= 80 deg F

2/3/12
Addition: Fish food (very little) and a few dried blood worms
NH3/NH4 (Ammonia) = 4 ppm
NO2 (Nitrite)= 1 ppm
NO3= 1 ppm
pH = 8.2
Temp= 80 deg F

2/4/12
Addition: Fish food (finely crushed)
NH3/NH4 (Ammonia) = 4 ppm
NO2 (Nitrite)= 1 ppm
NO3= 5 ppm
pH = 8.2
Temp= 78 deg F

2/5/12
NH3/NH4 (Ammonia) = 4 ppm
NO2 (Nitrite)= q2 ppm
NO3= 10 ppm
pH = 8.2
Temp= 78 deg F

I know it has only been 4 days but think that the Nitrites and Nitrates showing up are generally a good sign (?) but am worried because the Ammonia level has held steady at about 4 ppm for the past 3 days (after the initial drop). Is this because of the addition of the fish food? I know it is hard to control the decay.

Should I be worried? Should I see the drop in Ammonia occur in the next few days?

I plan on a 50% water change once the Nitrates get too high. At what level should I do this. I don't want the beneficial bacteria (BB) to slow due to water conditions.

Thank you all in advance for any words of wisdom.

-55 gallon African Cichlid Tank
Gravel/Aragonite Mix Substrate
-Emperor 400 Filter
-UG Filter w/ 2 Hagen AquaClear 50 Powerheads
-Luft Pump w/ air stone
TX Holey Rock Decor

-rotorhead22

[George9]

Originally Posted by rotorhead22

I am currently cycling (fishless) my new 55 gallon tank. This is the first time I have had a 55 gallon (only 5, 10, 20 gal previously) and this is the first fishless cycel I have ever attempted. I have read alot of the threads in this forum and there is alot of great info. I seeded my tank with some live gravel and some material from my turtle tank which has a seasoned canister filter. Below is my log:

2/2/12
Initial ammonia add: 10 ml, 10% ammonia hydroxide (from ACE Hardware)
Initial readings after 1 hour:
NH3/NH4 (Ammonia) = 8 ppm (higher than 4 ppm)
NO2 (Nitrite)= 0 ppm
NO3= 0ppm
pH = 8.4
Temp= 80 deg F

2/3/12
Addition: Fish food (very little) and a few dried blood worms
NH3/NH4 (Ammonia) = 4 ppm
NO2 (Nitrite)= 1 ppm
NO3= 1 ppm
pH = 8.2
Temp= 80 deg F

2/4/12
Addition: Fish food (finely crushed)
NH3/NH4 (Ammonia) = 4 ppm
NO2 (Nitrite)= 1 ppm
NO3= 5 ppm
pH = 8.2
Temp= 78 deg F

2/5/12
NH3/NH4 (Ammonia) = 4 ppm
NO2 (Nitrite)= q2 ppm
NO3= 10 ppm
pH = 8.2
Temp= 78 deg F

I know it has only been 4 days but think that the Nitrites and Nitrates showing up are generally a good sign (?) but am worried because the Ammonia level has held steady at about 4 ppm for the past 3 days (after the initial drop). Is this because of the addition of the fish food? I know it is hard to control the decay.

Should I be worried? Should I see the drop in Ammonia occur in the next few days?

I plan on a 50% water change once the Nitrates get too high. At what level should I do this. I don't want the beneficial bacteria (BB) to slow due to water conditions.

Thank you all in advance for any words of wisdom.

-55 gallon African Cichlid Tank
Gravel/Aragonite Mix Substrate
-Emperor 400 Filter
-UG Filter w/ 2 Hagen AquaClear 50 Powerheads
-Luft Pump w/ air stone
TX Holey Rock Decor

-rotorhead22

You should not be worried at all. It's a great thing that your already showing nitrites and nitrates. The ammonia should start dropping soon. It's only been 4 days. Just keep the ammo at 4 ppm and in a couple weeks, you'll be cycled.

The bb will not slow due to water changes. I'd do the pwc when nitrates are 160 ppm an nitrites are very high.