Keep feeding the ammonia.
Within two weeks your nitrites should be zero also.
I started to cycle a bare bottom 55, 12 days ago.
The tank had a sponge filter and a fluval 406 filter
I used Dr Tim’s ammonia and dosed 2ppm.
Day1 dosed the ammonia
Day2 PH 7.8, ammonia 1.00 ppm, Nitrite 0 ppm. Added a pinch of flake food
Day3 PH 7.8, ammonia 4.00 ppm, Nitrite 0 ppm, Nitrate 0 ppm
Day4 PH 7.8, ammonia 4.00 ppm, Nitrite 0 ppm, Nitrate 0 ppm
Day5 PH 7.8, ammonia 4.00 ppm, Nitrite 0 ppm, Nitrate 0 ppm
Day6 PH 7.8, ammonia 4.00 ppm, Nitrite 0 ppm, Nitrate 0 ppm
Day7 PH 7.8, ammonia 4.00 ppm, Nitrite .25 ppm, Nitrate 0 ppm
Day8 PH 7.8, ammonia 4.00 ppm, Nitrite 2.0 ppm, Nitrate 0 ppm
Day9 PH 7.8, ammonia 2.00 ppm, Nitrite 5.0 ppm, Nitrate 40 ppm
Day10 PH 7.8, ammonia 0.00 ppm, Nitrite 5.0 ppm, Nitrate 10 ppm
Day11, PH 7.8, ammonia 0.00 ppm, Nitrite 2.0 ppm, Nitrate 10 ppm added a pinch of flake food
The question I have is what should I expect, and what should I do?
We are hoping to get discus in about two weeks
Keep feeding the ammonia.
Within two weeks your nitrites should be zero also.
How much ammonia should I add and when?
To maintain the bacteria, you have to feed them. Others are more knowledgable on this than I am since I have not done a non-fish cycle. From your records, I would continue either 2 or 4 ppm depending on fish load. Think of your tank as a tank full of bacteria who need you to feed them until the ammonia-producers arrive.
Thank you Frank
It takes about 4-6 weeks to cycle a tank.