What am i doing wrong?

[Bix22]

I am following instructions on the fishless cycle which I started on 2/27. I added the initial ammonia to increase the level to 4 ppm. After about 10 days it dropped to 1 ppm so I added more ammonia to up it back to 4 ppm. The ammonia is dropping again but there's no sign of any nitrites. Why? The ammonia level is dropping. It's a 20 gal freshwater tank heater up to 86. API tester. Am I just being impatient? I know it takes 4-6 wks for the process but I thought when ammonia breaks down nitrites start to form.

 

[jlk]

Did you start with any cycled media? Have you tested your nitrates? How does your ph look? Does the nitrite tube turn an odd blue (not the baby/aqua blue on the chart)? Does it turn purple for even a second or does it stay blue the whole time? Some more info will help!

 

[Bix22]

No nitrates ph is 7.8

No seeded media its a brand new tank.

 

[Bix22]

Looks baby blue the whole time

 

[librarygirl]

I think it's just too early. It's only been about two weeks since you started and ammonia just started dropping, I'd say to give it more time.

 

[Bix22]

That's what I was thinking but wasn't sure. When do nitrites usually appear?

 

[librarygirl]

It's different for every tank; typically weeks 3-4 on average though.