fishless cycling question

[nichole]

I am using the fishless method for cycling. I have a 45 gal tank and I added ammonia 7 days ago and my reading went well above 5ppm at that time, and has stayed that way for the past 7 days. No nitrite reading at all. Is this normal? Or have I added entirely too much ammonia?

[wetmanNY]

Yes, you've added too much ammonia. Change enough water to bring your test levels down to 5 ppm.

Then, each morning, test again and add enough ammonia to bring your levels back to 5 ppm. No more than that.

The ammonia is toxic (apparently) to the bacteria that metabolize nitrite to nitrate. Overdosing NH3 can extend the cycling process for additional weeks.

[nichole]

I did a 50% water change a few hours ago. I retested the water and it is above 8ppm. Do you think I need to give it a few days and then retest or should I do more of a water change than 50% ? I am just shocked that after doing that large of a water change that the ammonia is still so high.
I really appreciate your help. Thanks!

[carpguy]

Yes, change enough water to bring the levels down to 5ppm.