Nitrite test not working

[Davy]

I have a 29g tank that has been fishless cycling for two weeks today. I was seeded with gravel, plants, water, and filter media. The reason it took so long was that I changed filters twice (see my other threads). I just checked the water conditions a few minutes ago and this is what I got:

Nitrite-0
Ammonia-0.5-1

How is that possible? The ammonia was like almost 6 when I checked a few days ago. I don't think my nitrite test is working. The ammonia test is because as I added ammonia to the tank to get it above 5, the test showed there was more and more. What do you guys think? Is my tank almost cycled? Should I wait till the ammonia is 0 before adding fish or longer? Thanks.

 

[Sandie]

is it possible you missed the nitrite spike and now it's back down to zero? How often did you test for nitrites?

 

[Davy]

I tested for nitrites daily but ammonia every 3 days or so. I'm going to get new nitrite test solution today so hopefully the new stuff will work.

 

[Davy]

I just got a new nitrite test kit and it shows that they are at .25ppm and ammonia is down to around .2-.4. Do you think the nitrite is rising or is it dropping? I would like to get fish before the weekend is over but that may not be possible.

 

[Sandie]

do you have any nitrate yet? I wouldn't get any fish until the nitrite was almost nothing, but you see some nitrates

 

[Davy]

I'm not putting any fish in until nitrite and ammonia is 0. I am just hoping it is before the weekend is over. I tested again this morning and got:

Ammonia-0
Nitrite-.25

Hopefully the nitrite is on it's way down.