Cycle dysfunction

[stockfool]

I am confused on my fishless cycle. I have not done a lot of fishless cycles, but this one defies my understanding. I have a 55 gal that I am trying to quick cycle for 2 Oscars (small) that my wife rescued from a renter that was going to dump in a pond. I am using Ace Hardware janitorial strength 10% ammonia for my “feed”; I added 3 cups gravel from an established tank; I added about 40 bioballs from a different filter to free float in the tank and slough off bacteria. I have 3 HOB filters until I get a better system. My wife dumped some bacteria in a bottle (“Microbe-lift” Special Blend) in the tank (without my consent), so I don’t know if that is what is making things sketchy. I will eventually set up a 20 long sump and a canister and remove the HOBs. Yes I will upgrade (to a 125 that I have in storage), but want to keep the 55 afterward. I am piecing this tank together as this is an “emergency”/unexpected build. My test results are:

12-29
74f, pH 7, nh4 2, no2, no3 0

12-30
74f, pH 7, nh4 2, no2, no3 0

12-31
74f, pH 7, nh4 2, no2, no3 0

2-1
8:00 am
Added 8.5ml 10% ammonia (.34ml x 50 gal) – 8.4 pH, 5.0 nh4, .25 no2, no3 2, 74F

8:00 pm
8.4 pH, 5.0 nh4, no2 0, no3 0, 76F

2-2
8:00 am
8.0 pH, 5.0 nh4, .25 no2, no3 0, 76F

8:00 pm
7.6 pH, 4.5 nh4, no2 0, no3 0, 76F

2-3
8:00 am
7.6 pH, 4.5 nh4, no2 .25, no3 0, 76F

8:00 pm
7.6 pH, 4.5 nh4, no2 0, no3 0, 76F


For those that are watching close I have had small amounts of nitrite, but no nitrate. It can not evaporate, so were does it go and do I have some other problem. I know the cycle is short, but I have added numerous media and am just looking at the abnormality. I will not add fish for probably 2 more weeks and just then because my stock is light.
If your wondering “what’s the rush?” there really is no rush, I have the 2 small o’s in a 100 liter Rubbermaid tub with a 100 liter “impromptu” dump (with cycled gravel) with plants (CFL lighted) and a HOB (cycled). I’m just wondering why my chemistry is off. I’ve done this before and never had results that defied chemistry.
Thank all of you for your input in advance. Again, I know short cycle, but I want to know were the no2 is going and why no no3. I also know the temp could be higher, but this is all I can get out of the spare parts (heater) I had on hand until next weekend.

 

[stockfool]

I got my first .25 no2 evening reading. I hope my cycle is starting legitimately now. Will add more nh4 tomorrow if levels drop to keep fish less cycle going.

 

[KAWAMIKIE]

You should have your temp up around 82-85* while fishless cycling. It will help grow the BB quicker at a warmer temp.

 

[stockfool]

2-9
76f, nh4 2, no2 2, no3 10
I do not think I will add additional ammonia. When ammonia reaches 0 and no2 reaches .5 or less, I think I will do a 90% WC and start adding dithers. I want to add Oscars ASAP to get them out of the Rubbermaid tub. This cycle has be abnormal by my experience. I am currently building the sump and think I will add 2 Eheim 2213s for mechanical with the sump (1 piece at a time). Probably do 1 canister, then sump, then last canister. I have never seen a sump/overflow alone setup that made me comfortable with the ability to pick up the heavy detritus of large cichlids. I know it can work, but the water flow needs to be massive which I do not think will work well for Oscars. They do not seem to be fish that appreciate massive current needed to accomplish what I want with an overflow. I do not like that Eheim filters have such low output, but they are excellent filters. That is why I intend to use 2. I'm assuming 70% efficiency from the canisters which will give me around 80x2 gph and 300 (adjusting for head) gph from sump pump giving me 460 gph total. This will give me around 10x turn total. Will this be too much? I am considering dropping to 1 canister for the sake of current, but am afraid of the loss of waste pick up. 380 would still be 6.9 turn (probably 7-8 real water turn after subtracting substrate). I don't want the fish to get blown around. I would like to go sump only (increased flow of course), but am worried about ability to pick up detritus. My sump design uses socks, so I wish that could be the mechanical. Any suggestions appreciated. HOBs will remain until I am confident everything is established.