fishless cycle, am I going in the right direction?

[kmail5776]

Okay, my nitrItes have been testing at 5 for the last two days. I kicked the ammonia back up to 2. I know I'm heading for the drop shortly so I want to be prepared. Once the ammonia and nitrites drop to 0 for a few days, 3?, I'm cycled?
How do I keep the cycle if there are no fish?
How long can the bacteria live without being fed the ammonia from the fish waste and such?
And Lastly, I need to do a 90% water change on the day I add the fish?

Thanks so much for your help again!!! Soon I hope to be able to contribute more than I take from the group!

I'd say if you add 5ppm of ammonia and both ammonia and nitrite drop to 0 within 24 hrs. your tank is cycled. It is recommended that you do a PWC to remove excess nitrates and get that below 20ppm.
Without a food source, your bacteria will begin to die off almost immediately.
To keep the cycle going without fish, just add ammonia every day until you are ready to add fish.