Tank will not cycle?

[DavidH]

I've been trying to fishless cycle my 55gal. It's been running for about 9 weeks and still showing nitrites. It will eat just about any amount of ammonia but continues to show about 1ppm nitrites. It seemed to have cycled at one time the nirites were coming down then it seemed to have stalled. I have tried different levels of ammonia, presently adding 2mls per day. Have tried every other day with same results.
I want to order fish and have been offered mature sponges by breeder, but I'm afraid to order if there's something wrong with my tank. pH 6.8, temp 86, added extra air!
AC500 and two azoo sponges.

Any suggestions, thx Dave

[Ardan]

Hi,
Try another test kit to verify results.

Lower ammonia input.

Do not do any wc's as the nitrite level needs to be up to get the proper bacteria growing.

what are the nitrate levels?

hth

[DavidH]

Hey Ardan,
tried new test kit, confirmed nitrites. Nirates are real low.
They had climbed at one point. I did do some water changes, maybe too soon. I'll leave it alone for awhile and see what happens.

thx Dave

[Carol_Roberts]

If your nitrIte levels are really high it will stall the cycle. What are your nitrIte readings?

[DavidH]

Hey Carol, tonight the nitrites are about 2ppm.

[Carol_Roberts]

That is not too high. I don't know what the problem is then :-\