Please help us my tank not properly cycling?

[Madisonkeug]

It is certainly "cycling," in the sense that there is a source of ammonia and the nitrifying bacteria will appear and colonize and reproduce accordingly. Whether you actually "see" this is another matter. Live plants are out-competing the bacteria and they will use the ammonia/ammonium and not produce nitrite which means no subsequent nitrate from "cycling." The acidic pH alos benefits as plants can use it faster, and it is basically harmless to fish.

I realized I was looking at the test in very bright natural light and with a white LED light lol. When I brought it into a different room I could clearly see that the test read between 5ppm and 10ppm for nitrates (I think that means it’s working?)

 

[Byron]

I realized I was looking at the test in very bright natural light and with a white LED light lol. When I brought it into a different room I could clearly see that the test read between 5ppm and 10ppm for nitrates (I think that means it’s working?)

A comment on reading tests...always use natural daylight, but not in direct sun. I read mine in front of a window that is not in direct sun. All white light is a combination of colours in the spectrum, and using natural daylight gives you the most consistent light.