cycling 55 gallon tank

Question
Hi, first of all, thank you for your time. I have a question about my tank cycling. At first, I did like a lot of other new beginners, I got my tank and filled it with water and threw in about 8 fish before researching. But I learned really quick by losing a couple pretty quick. I still have 6 fish and I know that is too many still for my tank but I don't have anywhere else to put them. So I am trying to cycle with what I have. I have one parrot fish, two gouramis, one ropefish, 2 albino clawed frogs. The tank is now almost on it's 16th day since the disaster and I had to restart everything. I have been taking frequent readings for ammonia and for pH, nitrites, nitrates, hardness, and alkalinity. I am now beginning to get some nitrate readings for the first time, maybe though because I added CYCLE the other day, which I read about on here and learned it does not work too well. Also, my ammonia readings are around 3.0 ppm. Do I need to let the ammonia keep going up until they drop due to the nitrates becoming developed, or should I try to lower it. That is the one thing I cannot seem to find any information on anywhere. Everything I read just says the ammonia will get up to around 6.0 ppm then suddenly drop and the nitrates will then begin to rise. Does the ammonia have to get this high before the nitrates will do this, or can I treat the ammonia  to keep it low and the tank still cycle right. I am so sorry this question is sooo long but I am new and do not really know what to do and I really enjoy my aquarium although I am having a lot of trouble out of it right now, I just do not want to see the fish suffer because I have already became so attached to them. Thank you so much for your time.

Answer
Hi Greg,
It is really good that you are testing your water regulary since when cycling you really need to know exactly what is going on. The Cycle you added isn't going to do alot but it will help your tank to get started. One thing you might want to try is called Bio Spira which claims it will immediately cycle your tank. It is a little expensive but it might be worth it to make sure you don't loose any fish.  Also, I would be sure to keep an eye on the ammonia and if it gets very high immediately do a large water change since it can cause your fish to become very sick fast. Once you start to get nitrites be careful too since fish can suffer with them also. If they get too high do the same-30-50% water change. Just be sure to use a good water conditioner and be sure to use enough and make sure any replacement water is the same temperature as the tank water. After things stabilize you will get the nitrate readings and you will always have to watch them to keep them at a low reading. After your tank has cycled be sure to establish a frequent partial water change schedule of at least once a week, even more if any tests show that things are not safe for your fish and please don't overstock your tank. Also, be sure to not add alot of fish all at once even when you have a cycled tank since each time a fish is added your bacteria have to try to handle the bio load and it does take some time to adjust to the extra load. You already have quite a few fish in your tank now so be very careful. The parrot fish will get fairly large so don't over crowd your tank.
Be patient and you should have a really great tank. You are doing a good job and you have done your research. It will all work out. It just takes some time and a little more work since you do have several fish. Just watch that ammonia!
Best of luck,
Karen