High ammonia but no Nitrates/Nitrites

[seminormal]

Hi, I started cycling my tank 2 weeks ago by leaving some food in the tank. At one week my Ammonia levels a hit .5ppm and Nitrate/nitrite were both at 0. I drop another bit of food in and now at 2 weeks my ammonia is at 2ppm but I still have no sign of Nitrite or Nitrate.

Is this normal?

Is there anything I can do to speed up the process generating the initial bacterial to get the cycle moving?

Cheers in advance

 

[axigeek]

I will repeat some advice that was given to me. Hope it all helps.

What you're looking for are the 3 Phases of cycling to run their course.

Phase 1 ~ The Ammonia eaters move in and multiply
What your tests will show;
Ammonia ~ Rises steadily to a peak before starting to drop back down.
Nitrite ~ will be 0 or at least remain steady and will begin to rise as the ammonia levels drop
Nitrate ~ will be 0 or at least remain steady with no real increase or decrease except after water changes.
You may find you tank goes a little cloudy for a couple of days during this phase, don't worry about it, it's completely normal and will clear on it's own

Phase 2 ~ The Nitrite eaters move in and multiply
What your tests will show;
Ammonia ~ Will continue to drop and will then remain at zero
Nitrite ~ Will continue to rise to a peak before starting to drop back down to zero
Nitrate ~ will be 0 or at least remain steady until the Nitrite begins to drop at which point it will begin to rise.

Phase 3 ~ A fully cycled tank
What your tests will show;
Ammonia ~ 0
Nitrite ~ 0
Nitrate ~ rising slowly

NOTE: if at any time while cycling you get ANY of the following readings do a 20% water change to bring the numbers down!
Ammonia ~ 0.8 or higher
Nitrite ~ 0.5 or higher
Nitrate ~ 40 or higher

(Thanx to MereB for the advice above)

 

[Kaysie]

What kind of test kit are you using? Also, what kind of dechlorinator?

 

[seminormal]

test kits are aquarium pharmaceuticals brand and i bought them within the last couple of months

dechlorinator is aqua one water conditioner

Thanks Gemsowner, the Ammonia is high so I might do a 20% water change tonight and try to get it back down.

 

[axigeek]

Np, but the thanx goes to fellow aussie MereB, who gave me the advice when I was kinda in your situation. Good luck with the ammonia, even I still struggle to keep it down to 0