My current cycle...

[zackish]

Well after just testing my water about 5 minutes ago I currently have no ammonia and around 1.0 ppm of nitrites but I still have 2 shrimp in there that should be giving off ammonia. I was wondering if this is normal or if I should even add another one?

[gm72]

Stay where you are. The ammonia is being converted to nitrIte. You are starting to see the beginning of your nitrIte spike.

[zackish]

My nitrite has been this way for over a week though....

[Lady Hobbs]

It takes longer for the nitrite eating bacteria to grow than for the ammonia bacteria. Sometimes the nitrite appears to just be "stuck" for awhile but gradually it changes. To me, it sounds as the shrimp may have lost some of it's ammonia. If you are showing 0 ammonia your nitrites should be registering higher levels IMO.

[gm72]

Ah, I didn't realize that your measurements have been holding steady for so long. I would have anticipated your cycle to be moving forward. I forget when you added the second shrimp? I think this is a great example of why it can be so difficult to cycle using this method. I'm not criticizing you for doing it this way, just giving an opinion.

[zackish]

I added my last shrimp like this past tues or wedsnday...you think I should add another?
For those of you that use the fishless pure ammonia method, when you have your nitrite spike and you are adding half the ammonia do you have detectable ammonia levels?

Also, I started my tank with well over 8.0 ppm of ammonia so does that mean my bacteria that breaks down the ammonia is really really strong?

[Lady Hobbs]

Just like when cycling with fish but much safer and quicker. As the ammonia decreases, the nitrites raise, so yes, we will have both ammonia and nitrites at the same time.

[zackish]

That's really weird because I have 0 ammonia like 1-2 nitrites and over 40 nitrates...idk what to do.

[zackish]

Still at a solid 1.0 ppm of nitrites..am I getting anywhere?