water changes during cycle

The high nitrite/ammonia concentration is a problem because high levels inhibit the nitrifying bacteria. You need to change the water to reduce the nitrite/ammonia to get the cycle going again.-Dr. Tim's Aquatics

Not sure how doing a wc during the cycle could promote algae.
While I normally do not recommend WC's during the cycle if it has stalled it is necessary to remove some of the ammonia and or Nitrite i.e. WC.

 

my thought process was completely on my own. Because I performed water changes I did not have the die off you would experience with a cycle that had no water changes. Because I allowed all the nasties to live through the cycle I had very difficult time riding the tank of these unwanted hitch hiker
I had never read the Dr. Tim's article is that on his site?

 

Yes and there are several threads as well. High ammonia levels (above 5ppm)can slow the AOB from growing then the AOB produces more nitrite than the NOB can handle. Which causes the nitrite to get above 5 mg/L NO2-N and the NOB have now slowed way down due to the toxicity of the nitrite.
Fishless Cycling | DrTim's Aquatics

As far as hitch hikers you bring up a valid point. I usually recommend using base rock and one or two small pieces of LR to keep unwanted critters and algaes to a minimum.

 

+1, anything above 5ppm ammonia and 10ppm nitrite can stall the cycle process by inhibiting bacterial growth and health.

 

I just did a 10 galloon water change today reading 4ppm ammonia and 0ppm nitrates, just wait it out?

 

Yup back to waiting it out.

 

Ok great, thanks guys

 

OK, I'm not ashamed to admit when I was possibly wrong. Great information guys. This goes to show that you never quit learning.

 

LOL don't feel ashamed, there is so much contradictory information out there and so much info period it is hard to keep up. What you learn from experience is your best data anyway since it applies directly to you and your methods.