Trouble understanding nitrogen cycle

So i’m fairly new to the hobby and I would say that I understand the nitrogen cycle to some extent. However Im confused as to what it means if my Nitrate levels never seem to raise very high? I just tested them a week after my last water change and they’re still low around 10 ppm. Is this bad? Or am I just not fully understanding how water changes or nitrogen cycle works.

 

No it's not bad. It's bad if the nitrates get too high. Low is good. The amount of nitrate is directly related to how heavily your tank is stocked. Heavy stocking = a lot of nitrate

I'm assuming this is a cycled tank with fish in it. If the nitrogen is at 10ppm after a week it tells me the tank is lightly stocked for the tank size and therefore not producing much ammonia. So, for example, if your nitrates are at 10ppm and you do a 50% water change they will be at 5ppm after the change. In a week they are back to 10ppm. Your tank is producing 5ppm nitrates in a week.

What size tank?
What is the stocking?
Do you have plants?
Do you add fertilizer?

 

I have a 20 gallon tank with 4 pictus cats, 3 congo tetras, and 1 siamese algae eater. I only have 4 amazon swords and I just recently started adding root tabs.

 

plants will consume some of the ammonia/nitrite/nitrate/phosphate

 

I have a 20 gallon tank with 4 pictus cats, 3 congo tetras, and 1 siamese algae eater. I only have 4 amazon swords and I just recently started adding root tabs.

Sounds good. Did I answer your question regarding nitrate?

What brand of root tabs are you using?

 

I’m currently using flourish tabs. And yes you helped me a lot thank you!

 

I have a 20 gallon tank with 4 pictus cats, 3 congo tetras, and 1 siamese algae eater. I only have 4 amazon swords and I just recently started adding root tabs.

Ive got a 20 with 6 harlequin rasboras, 6 panda cories, a dwarf gourami, and 3 endlers and my nitrate cant pass 5

 

I’m currently using flourish tabs. And yes you helped me a lot thank you!

Your welcome.

The Flourish tabs are only micro nutrients. Your plants may do ok with those. The nitrate and phosphorous will come from your fish and fish food. If you find that your plants don't do well with them you may want to try a brand that includes macro nutrients as well.