Nitrites back

[Greendragon1128]

My tank was cycled, but the Nitrites have risen to 10ppm again. Ammonia and Nitrites read 0 Tuesday, but I didn't have time for a water change right away and continued adding small amounts of ammonia to keep the bacteria alive. Was this my mistake? What should I do?
If my problem was not changing the water right away, are there any other ways to maintain the bacteria? I'm going to be really busy next week and it will be a miracle if my homework gets done, so I probably won't have a spare hour for a water change.

 

[homebunnyj]

That's nitrate that's at 10 and rising, and it will continue rise.

Why do a fishless cycle if you're not going to add fish?

Yes, keep feeding the bacteria. Why are you worried about doing water changes if there aren't any fish in there?

 

[Greendragon1128]

I used my nitrite test, so I don't know how it could be nitrate. I think I may have miscounted the drops because it's back at 0 today.

I am going to add fish today--I just didn't have time or a ride during the week.

The water change I was referring to is the final one to remove the built-up nitrates befor adding fish. I just finished it and am going to the LFS sometime in the next hour.

 

[Lotus]

You can also get a false reading on a nitrite test if you leave it longer than stated in the instructions.

Good luck with the fish