5 Gallon Tank Confused on Levels

About 2 weeks ago I set up my betta tank and started a fish in cycle. I had put extra foam in the filter of my 10 gallon for a week that I moved over last week. I have yet to read any nitrites and my ammonia has remained between .25 and .5 with regular water changes. today I was confused about my lack of nitrites and decided to test nitrates and they are higher than my cycled tank... anyone know if this is normal and/or what it means? I did a cycle from scratch last time so my results were pretty normal, ammonia was high and then dropped lower and then my nitrites were high and then they both dropped, this time not sure why I dont have nitrites. I use the API master test kit btw

 

If ammonia drops to 0 then youre cycled. Small tanks can sometimes seem to skip the nitrites phase. Its especially common when you jumpstart the cycle with media from an established tank.

 

Nitrate can come from your tap water or other water source. Is your cycled tank planted?

 

Nitrate can come from your tap water or other water source. Is your cycled tank planted?

no plants and it isnt the water

If ammonia drops to 0 then youre cycled. Small tanks can sometimes seem to skip the nitrites phase. Its especially common when you jumpstart the cycle with media from an established tank.

this might be the case, so it is normal for me to see nitrates without ever seeing nitrites?

 

no plants and it isnt the water

I asked because plants can reduce nitrate by consuming it. I’ll be honest and say I’m not sure what’s happening myself...

 

this might be the case, so it is normal for me to see nitrates without ever seeing nitrites?

Yes, it is normal to see nitrates without seeing nitrites when you use seeded media from a cycled tank. how high are the nitrates in this tank?

 

Yes, it is normal to see nitrates without seeing nitrites when you use seeded media from a cycled tank. how high are the nitrates in this tank?

they are about 5 but I have never tested them before today and I did an almost 75% water change on Saturday because I was reading almost 1 on ammonia

 

they are about 5 but I have never tested them before today and I did an almost 75% water change on Saturday because I was reading almost 1 on ammonia

As long as you keep the ammonia down to no more than .25 with water changes your fish should be safe. I wouldn't be overly concerned about not seeing nitrites but would continue testing for them for a while longer.

If your nitrates continue to go up I have to think you are not going to see nitrites. The nitrates aren't going to go up if no nitrites are being produced and cleared out. You may have had enough nitrite eating bacteria on the seeded media to remove all of the ones being produced in this tank.