fishless cycling a 55 gallon aquarium

[geomin]

Hi, this is my first experience with an aquarium. I got a 55 gallon tank, an external 1400l/h filter and a nice black fine volcanic gravel, all second hand. I washed the filter throughly with few dropplets of bleach and vinegar and the rest with tap water. In the filter, I added the sponges (fine and coarse), the ceramic, the bio balls and the active carbon. I Filled the tank with tap water, added the decloronating agent, the bacteria boost liquid, placed the heater, and off I started the fishless cycling.
Two weeks later I tested the water and 0 ammonia and about 20 nitrates, than I realised that I didn't add any organic material at the start of the cycle, so wasn't sure where did the nitrate come from, so I threw about 6 tea spoons of fish food in the tank thinking If my cycling is done, the bacteria should digest this in about 2 weeks, if not, this should be enough to start a cycle.
I did notice a whitish jelly substance on my heater after week 1,this must be organic... Anyway, I'll let you know in 2 weeks. In the meantime, if you think I'am doing something wrong please let me know
Many thanks

 

[Delapool]

Welcome!

 

[Kishore]

What's your source of Ammonia?
The way I did it was, I bought some ammonium hydroxide from a chemical supplier and dosed it to 4 ppm. I strongly advise you to buy API Freshwater Master test kit, if you don' t have one. I added in fish food, 5 pellets at a time(finely grounded) once a week to give the bacteria micro nutrients.

Read this guide:
Really helpful.

Fishless cycling guide