Another newbie cycle thread

[Kingkold020]

Alright so I’m probably just being paranoid but I came here just in case. I started my cycle on November 17, and I got my first ammonia reading on the 11/21. My ammonia has stayed at 0.50 ever since the 21st. Am I doing anything wrong because I thought ammonia was supposed to spike. My nitrates are between 10 and 20 ppm and my nitrites are about 0.25 ppm if that helps. My equipment is a 20 gallon long with live sand and dry rock, and I’m using an API test kit. I’m ghost feeding pellets about every day and I already used seachem stability for 7 days. I was wondering if I should just switch to Dr. Tim’s because it’s more controlled, or if it was even a good idea to add more bacteria during the middle of the cycle?

Edit: nitrate and nitrite reading
Also I should mention my nitrates and nitrates have spiked compared to ammonia. Yesterday my nitrate were about 0 same with my nitrites.

another edit: an included picture.

 

[highest_tides]

When I cycled my newest tank I added bacteria according to my water volume (seed and 165 gallon volume) for one week. Then I ghost feed twice over week two. By the end of week 3 I was cycled.

 

[ling313]

I used live sand and Dr Tim, cycle took forever so I added fritz turbo bacteria and that finished my cycle way faster. FYI, api bottles need some serious shaking (banging it on the floor) before each use. My readings were much lower before I learned this. Good luck

 

[RobW]

I used brightwell microbacter7. Live sand and dry rock. Waited 3 weeks got a pair of clowns. Keep an eye on that ammonia. If you get some fish be sure to get some neutralizer.

 

[brandon429]

You'll be able to begin reefing because you've fed bacteria ready within ten days per the directions. All you need is a water change and begin, you've tripled the time frame and the bacteria are there per your nitrate readings. You've also met the timetable from a cycling chart, all set.

You specifically don't have to do the 2ppm ammonia thing, the common approach. Having mere contact this long makes the cycle complete.