Stuck at Nitrite Phase

[gcox311]

Hello all!
Im starting a new 10g planted tank using a fishless cycle, complete with soil and gravel substrate. when I first started I didnt know you had to add ammonia in some form (whether pure or using fish food) but luckily my plants where melting like crazy and the decaying leaves probably produced the ammonia for me. After around a week and a half my ammonia levels had gone from 4 ppm to around .25 ppm, but the Nitrite phase came on strong and hasnt left for the past 2 weeks, staying at a steady 5 ppm. I've performed maybe 2-3 50% water changes a week (its a three week old tank) and my last reading for Nitrates was between 5-10 ppm.

I also tested my tap water for nitrites and its at a zero.

I'm just wondering if I'm doing something wrong or if I just need to be patient, I was hoping to add a snail soon to the tank because it starting to look a little dirty (dead plant matter and algae) but would that be the best option?

Any suggestions, criticism, or words of reassurance is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[fishwonder]

Well cycling your filter/tank will take 3-8 weeks so be patient. Click here for information on cycling your aquarium.