Cycling question

[Newbie]

My cycle has started and I got my first drop in ammonia from 3ppm to .75ppm and a nitrite reading of 5ppm using the master kit. I’m following a guide that told me to add a second dose of ammonia. however,  I’ve found another guide that says wait until readings are 0 to add another dose. Did I just ruin my cycle?

[Jeff]

In my experience - I would say hold off. Ammonia and Nitrite will eventually continue to fall to zero. 

If you're worried after this happens; add in a cocktail shrimp for like a week - if your tank can handle that....and Ammonia / Nitrite still reads zero: you're golden.

[Cinnebuns]

You're fine. Personally I don't understand the point in waiting till it's 0 before adding more ammonia. You want to keep feeding the bacteria. 

[modified lung]

Waiting until 0 makes sense because different species of nitrifiers metabolize ammonia at different concentrations. The species in your tank that brings ammonia from 3 ppm to 0.25 ppm for example might be different than the species that brings ammonia from 0.25 ppm to 0 ppm.

But you didn't ruin your cycle by not waiting until 0. Maybe your ammonia will hang at a super low level for a little longer but that's not a big deal.

[Brian]

So, I’m assuming we are talking about fish-less cycles?  
I have never done that.  I setup a tank, add my Prime or API stress coat move one of my filters or half the media from a filter maybe a sponge.   I keep extra filter pads or sponges in Hang On Back filters.  If temperature is good I move the fish.  Don’t feed for 14-18 hours and feed lightly over the next week or so.