Help with cycling!

[Ryan75]

I am new at cycling with test kits since I usually use fish and wait 2 months. But this time I decided to do fishless cycling and use a test kit. The tank has been running for a week with filters, lights, substrate, and heater. On the first day I added a couple shrimp pellets/fish flakes. Now the readings about a week later/which is today read :

Ammonia: .25ppm/tad bit higher

Nitrite: 5.0ppm - way high...don't know how to fix this one

Nitrate: 10ppm - 20ppm
Test done with API Freshwater Test Kit

So do these readings look normal? Also should I add some filter media from established tank to this one?
Any suggestions please!

 

[Ajno]

Get some Stability and follow the directions on the bottle. I used it and all the fish came through with no issues

 

[prskiller]

Your readings don't look right. NH3 will spike then drop to zero, then NO2− will spike and zero out then your cycle is done. I've used the fishless cycle with pure ammonia 3 times without fail following instructions to a TEE. Patience is the key, it will take anywhere from less than a couple of weeks to a month.

http://www.algone.com/aquarium-articles/technical-aquarium-information/fishless-cycling

 

[prskiller]

Oh yeah anything from an established tank will hep but if you do pure ammonia it's best to wait out the the NH3 part and dose at the nitrite part. The ammonia will kill the bb.

 

[carsona246]

I think you're readings are normal. A little ammonia just means the cycling process is underway. Wait until nitrite and ammonia drop to 0 and your good to go. If you have some filter media from an established tank definitely use it, the cycling process will speed up considerably.

 

[tomojsg]

try some seachem stabilizer & prime it should do the trick. also a lot of aeration will help.

heres all the info u should need and cycling a tank.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?224559-Cycling-and-You

 

[Ryan75]

Ok, I will get some established media in there then let it run it's course. I cannot hurt anything since i'm not using fish....