Question about ammonia/nitrite during cycling

[trimma0426]

So Ive been cycling my tank for 3.5 weeks now. I used a giant jumbo shrimp in my IM Fusion 20 for 3 days.

Ive only measured ammonia and nitrite twice. Once was a week after adding the shrimp, and the other was this morning.

I thought the ammonia cycle would take about 2 weeks, then nitrites rise and fall relatively quickly?

This test result is from a week after starting the cycle.

This is from this morning, 2 weeks later

Should the ammonia be zero by now? I also figured the nitrites would have changed.

I added a bottle of bio-spira on Monday, but it seems to have done nothing for the levels.

Just want to make sure Im still on the right track. The last reef tank Ive had was 12 years ago, and I added a bottle of instant cycle junk and had fish and corals in the next week...this slow cycle is all new to me.

 

[bios]

How many gal?
Live sand, live rocks or dry?
Should be possible if the system is completely new but very slow
Add some bacterias for N cycle

 

[trimma0426]

How many gal?
Live sand, live rocks or dry?
Should be possible if the system is completely new but very low
Add some bacterias for N cycle

20 gallon tank, extra 10 gallons in the sump. One bag of live sand. 15 pounds of pukani that I soaked for 3 weeks in a tank with carbon pads.
I already added a full bottle of bio-spira.

 

[bios]

I don't know bio spira
But I will suggest to use biodigest for the cycle of N , give very fast result

 

[trimma0426]

I don't know bio spira
But I will suggest to use biodigest for the cycle of N , give very fast result

Im in zero rush to get the tank setup for livestock, I just want to make sure I dont have to do anything to adjust the natural path of the cycle...if Im on the right path and itll take another 2-4 weeks thats completely fine.

 

[bios]

Yes all seem in normal condition.
But to be sure take also values of no3
If all is ok you will have an increase of no3 during time