Cycling tank weird readings?

[sappho]

This is my first time cycling a tank. I read several threads on how to do it so I thought I understood the basics but now Im getting readings that dont make sense?
I couldnt get my hands on pure ammonia so I dumped a bunch of store bought shrimp into the tank. Now my ammonia levels are off the charts. Do I need to remove some of the shrimp to lower my ammonia back down to a measurable level or is this okay?
The confusing thing for me is that my nitrites seem be bouncing around but staying low and my nitrates are going up? Yesterday my nitrites were at 0.5 ppm but today they are at 0.25ppm. Both yesterday and today my nitrates were around 10ppm. I was given to believe that nitrites should increase rapidly THEN nitrates should show up.
Could there be something wrong with the tests? Im using API saltwater master test kit. I redid the nitrate and nitrite tests today and yesterday and the readings were consistent. And I used RODI water that tested at 0 nitrites and 0 nitrates for several days.
I seeded my tank with 10lbs of live sand from the LFS. Could that have any effect?

 

[homer1475]

First thing first, if your ammonia levels are off the chart, then remove any of the shrimp that are left. It should have been like 1 shrimp depending on your tank size.

I wouldn't worry about testing for nitrites or nitrates till your ammonia levels come down.

 

[jrr98002]

You added too much of an ammonia source, but that won't kill you. You'll just have to be patient until that ammonia is processed. If it's off the charts, you can do a partial WC to get it to a detectable level if you want, but it isn't necessary. Your nitrite bacteria may just not be high enough yet for them to show up appreciably. Also, don't worry about nitrate until your nitrite reads zero, as nitrites will give a false positive oftentimes. Like the guy mentioned above, save your nitrite/nitrate tests until your ammonia comes down to zero, then test for nitrite until it's zero, then test nitrate.

 

[thegrun]

You posted your ammonia levels were "off the charts", what readings did you get on the ammonia or at least what was the highest reading on the chart? I suspect you are going to need to make a large water change if your ammonia is over 7ppm or your cycle is going to take a long time to complete. You are not going to get reliable nitrate test results until your nitrites drop back to zero, elevated nitrite levels throw off the nitrate test results.

 

[sappho]

My ammonia levels were above 8 ppm. I just took out any of the shrimp I could find though there are still some little bits floating about. I plan to do a significant water change as well.
Also my water was extremely foggy yesterday but seems to have cleared up some, is that significant?

 

[thegrun]

The cloudiness was likely a bacterial bloom, not a problem. Ideally bring the ammonia down to 4ppm, then just wait for nature to take it from there.