For fishless cycling:
Step 1: Dose ammonia to 4 ppm, and then test daily.
Step 2: Once ammonia gets below 1 ppm, dose back up to 4 ppm, and test for nitrites.
Step 3: Once nitrites are spotted, dose ammonia to only 2 ppm whenever it drops below one. Do not worry if it is at zero for a few days. The bacteria will be fine.
Step 4: When nitrites get over readable levels do a water change to bring them down (this isn't completely necessary but I like to do it to know what is going on)
Step 5: Eventually you will have 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite. Make sure nitrates don't get too high (I like to keep it under 80 while fishless cycling). Once you have 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites, dose ammonia to 4 ppm and check again 24 hours later.
Step 6: If ammonia and nitrite are back at 0 ppm 24 hours after dosing, you are cycled! You can add up to your full stock as soon as you finish, or just a few fish.
Tips:
Test for ammonia at least a full hour after dosing. Otherwise the ammonia may not be properly mixed.
This process usually takes 4-6 weeks without seeded material, but seeded material (anything from another tank, gravel and decor are good, but filter media is best [make sure it stays dry], however, water won't help very much) will help IMMENSELY and shorten your cycle to just DAYS.
This is just how I have done it and my opinion, but it is almost exactly what other fishless cyclers do.
