Fishless cycle - stuck on high nitrites

[PuppyFluffer]

Stats:
Fishless cycle using pure ammonia
20 gallon high tank
Aqua Clear 50 filter
Temp 82 degrees
Flourite substrate - currently no plants yet
API liquid test ki6

I'm starting a 20 gallon high tank. I have an Aqua Clear 50 HOB filter. I have a new sponge and new ceramic media and a smaller sponge from an AC 20 that came off an established 10 gallon as starter media.

I'm adding pure ammonia. It took 4 days for the bacteria to catch up to the ammonia load (4ppm) and convert it to 0 in a 24 hour period. I'm using API liquid test kit.

I am on day 10 of the cycle. The tank is converting about 4ppm of ammonia to 0 in about 12 hours or so but the nitrites are remaining high at about 2 ppm.

I wondered if the nitrite converting bacteria might have starved out during those 4 days while waiting for the ammonia converting bacteria to multiply....so I took another sponge off of the AC20 from the 10 gallon and put it in the filter on the 20 and took out the original starter sponge - returning it to the 10 gallon.

I should certainly have had the nitrite bacteria present on the sponge. Is it typical for them to take this long getting up to speed?

[Mgamer20o0]

i would do another filter squeeze. take the old media put it in the new tank and swish it around some. a normal cycle takes what 4-6 week..... your just under 2 weeks which is about right for a new tank with established media.

[feederfish]

Nitrite 2 ppm or more like off the scale. API test nitrites looks very similar for 2 ppm (purpleish pink) and 4+ ppm (deeper hot pink, but may have a very slight hint of purple/blue to it... it is hot pink though). I miss read the higher nitrites at least once in the beginning, but I am noob. Though, I am a hobby artist with attention to color at the same time.

What are your nitrates? I guess that may help indicate where you are towards finishing the cycle, or are they zero?

[PuppyFluffer]

Thanks Mg, I forgot to say I did squeeze some media over the filter earlier too. I'll do it again.

I have not tested nitrates yet. I figured it was a waste of time with nitrites so high. I'll test that now.

[PuppyFluffer]

ok, nitrites still reading rosy pink. I'm guessing 1-2 ppm.
I'm beginning to got nitrates. Test is reading 10. I just floated some plants in there last night. I'll plant them today when I get a chance.

It's getting there but it's slower than I thought it would be.

[PuppyFluffer]

My nitrites are not budging. They are holding at about 1-2 ppm.

Nitrates are getting higher. They are about 40 now.

I'm surprised this is taking so long. Am I right on the brink of finishing this cycle?