New Fish Tank Fishless cycle questions

[spudjnr123]

During a normal fishless cycle, some levels should spike (i.e. Nitrate) while others go down, right (i.e. Nitrite, Ammonia, and pH)? I let the water cycle for two weeks. Then I tested the water, and then put in the correct dose of Prime. The Readings I got then were:
pH: 7.6
Am:.5 ppm
Nitrate: 10ppm
Nitrite: 1 ppm

I tested today after letting it sit for three days (just to see how things are going) and these are the new results.
pH:7.2
Am: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 10 ppm
Nitrite 2 ppm

Everything has dropped or remained the same except Nitrites which have jumped. Why would my Nitrates be the only thing to jump up? Should I dose again with Prime? I was really hoping that I would get to stock soon, but it looks like my levels are still too high. Should I just let it sit, and see what happens? My stocking list is 3 Otos, 7 neons, and 2 GBRs. Obviously the GBRs are going to need to wait a long to to make sure my tank is perfectly stable, but could I, say, stock the neons or Otos to help the cycling along, or is that a bad idea?

 

[Rbishop]

How are you doing the cycle...ammonia or shrimp...?

 

[spudjnr123]

I thought that doing a fishless cycle meant doing a cycle without fish in the tank.

 

[ThePBM]

I thought that doing a fishless cycle meant doing a cycle without fish in the tank.

it does. but it also means that you are "simulating" having fish in the tank by adding ammonia or something that will produce ammonia (such as raw shrimp).

if you haven't added anything at all to your tank and are just circulating water, then i have no idea about your readings.

 

[Viettxboii]

somethings obviously rotting in his tank though... if he isnt adding ammonia that it.
nitrites are going up because hte ammonia is 0 which means its getting converted into nitrites, which will eventually turn into nitrates.

 

[Rbishop]

Well, there could be nitrites in the tap water....or a faulty test kit...

 

[spudjnr123]

I researched more, and I have seen the error of my ways, so next question, would a local LFS have ammonia for use in cycling?

 

[Rbishop]

spud....

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598

 

[spudjnr123]

In reply to the test kit, its the API master test kit, and I've been following the instructions to a "T". Also, what kinds of things could be rotting? I've got nothing live in my tank.

 

[ThePBM]

most lfs' will recommend that you buy several cheap and/or hardy fish to do a fish cycle such as danios. pure ammonia, people say, can be found at cleaning supply stores. just make sure it's pure and not scented.