Cycling my 36 gal nitrates?

I’ve been cycling my 36gal tank for a week and was wondering if it’s normal that I’m seeing nitrates already. I tested the water and it was 0ammonia 0nitrite 5nitrate 7ph.
I have a sponge filter going heater at 80degrees and some live plants wood and coconut husk hide. I’ve been adding some fish flakes for ammonia every couple of days .this is the first big tank I’ve ever had and cycled.

 

Have you tested your tap water for nitrates? I suspect you will find 5ppm nitrate in your tap water.

 

I’ve been cycling my 36gal tank for a week and was wondering if it’s normal that I’m seeing nitrates already. I tested the water and it was 0ammonia 0nitrite 5nitrate 7ph.
I have a sponge filter going heater at 80degrees and some live plants wood and coconut husk hide. I’ve been adding some fish flakes for ammonia every couple of days .this is the first big tank I’ve ever had and cycled.

Have you considered using Dr. Tim’s ammonium chloride as the ammonia source? Much easier to dose to a targeted ammonia level than fish food.

 

Have you tested your tap water for nitrates? I suspect you will find 5ppm nitrate in your tap water.

I just tested the nitrates in my tap water and it was close to 0

Have you considered using Dr. Tim’s ammonium chloride as the ammonia source? Much easier to dose to a targeted ammonia level than fish food.

I’ve been thinking about using it but I haven’t gotten it yet I don’t know if they sell it at the pet store close to me

 

I just tested the nitrates in my tap water and it was close to 0

I’ve been thinking about using it but I haven’t gotten it yet I don’t know if they sell it at the pet store close to me

Unless you used filter media, substrate or something from a cycled tank, you wouldn’t be seeing nitrates after only a week of cycling with fish food.

Here’s an option if your LFS doesn’t have it. . .
https://www.amazon.com/Aquatics-Ammonium-Chloride-Aquarium-Treatment/dp/B017A572NK/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2DYRHU8S7ICXH&keywords=dr.+tims+ammonium+chloride&qid=1644805635&sprefix=Dr.+Tim’s+,aps,79&sr=8-2

 

Unless you used filter media, substrate or something from a cycled tank, you wouldn’t be seeing nitrates after only a week of cycling with fish food.

Here’s an option if your LFS doesn’t have it. . .
https://www.amazon.com/Aquatics-Ammonium-Chloride-Aquarium-Treatment/dp/B017A572NK/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2DYRHU8S7ICXH&keywords=dr.+tims+ammonium+chloride&qid=1644805635&sprefix=Dr.+Tim’s+,aps,79&sr=8-2

I used some of the floating plants from my ten gallon tank but yah I’ll test it again in a couple days

 

I used some of the floating plants from my ten gallon tank but yah I’ll test it again in a couple days

They probably had some of the beneficial bacteria on them.