Nitrite Increase close to end?

[FishFinatic]

Ive been cycling my tank for almost a month now. Towards the end of last week and over the weekend, the nitrite was getting very close to zero. Nitrates were also increasing to 20. All of a sudden today I did another test expecting to be finished if not very close, and I have another nitrite spike. It is now 5+.

Is this normal? What would cause this? I havent done anything to the tank exept add ammonia and test daily. I have been adding enough ammonia to hit anywhere between 1 and 2 ppm each day.

Todays test numbers before ammonia addition

Ammonia - .25
Nitrite - 5+
Nitrate - 20

Please advise. Thanks

[Lady Hobbs]

Totally normal. You are continuing to add ammonia which is continuing to convert to nitrites. Should have been done cycling by now, tho.

[FishFinatic]

Should I do something different? Or just keep at it?

Would dead plant matter stall my cycle?

[Lady Hobbs]

Not likely but why is there dead plant matter? Remove what is dead and your plants will grow better anyway. I don't know why it's taken so long, tho. Generally a tank will cycle in 2.5 weeks. Have you messed with the filter by cleaning it or anything? Is your ammonia registering 0 each day?

[FishFinatic]

The dead plant matter is all small so the only way to get it out would be to vacuum. I know that Im not supposed to so I havent.

I havent touched the filter at all....and my ammonia reads between 0-.25 every morning...

When I first got this tank I seeded it from my moms estabilshed tank. Out of my own stupidity I didnt feed the bacteria ammonia so it all died so I started the ammonia about 2.5 weeks ago...so I guess its really only been cycling for 2.5 weeks if you count it from then.....

[Lady Hobbs]

I do. And if this is the case, then you are back on the schedule you are supposed to be on so I would not worry. Nitrites can drop almost instantly as well as the ammonia so I would say you are on track.

[FishFinatic]

Ok Thanks for your help as always!!!