Interpreting cycling levels? (No nitrites)

[Markpatrick33]

Okay. So I have started my cycle. First test before adding an ammonia source was obviously zeros across the board. Added food to break down into ammonia. Five days later tested, ammonia looked to be at around a .5 ppm and I had nitrate readings of 10 ppm, however I never saw my nitrites spike? Which is confusing to me. And then today (2 days since last test) my ammonia is down to .25 ppm and nitrates up to 20 ppm STILL 0 NITRITE LEVELS?! Is this common? Am I just missing them when I’m testing? Am I doing something wrong? I don’t understand how I am getting nitrates without ever seeing a nitrite spike 

[FISHnChix]

Did you use live rock? If so how much?

[Tired]

It might be that you already have enough bacteria to process the nitrites into nitrates. You don't need to have seen nitrites for the tank to be cycled, it's just the most common way things go. 

 

When you have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and some nitrates after adding ammonia, your tank is cycled, regardless of if you ever saw nitrites.