cycled but still cloudy??

[goldylox]

I think my tank is cycled or at least very close to it. My levels are as follows:
pH - 7.6 (it has always been 7.6)
Ammonia - 0.6
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0

The water is still cloudy though. Why is this?

BTW I have had my 55 gal tank for about a month now and I have 6 fish in it (4 tetras and 2 gouramis). I cycled the tank with the fish in it.

 

[FawnN]

It doesn't look like your tank is cycled. It actually looks like it is just beginnning the process.

A cycled tank will have 0 ammonia, 0 NitrItes and a NitrAte reading.

I'm thinking you don't have enough fish in your tank to really cycle it, since it is a 55 gallon. I would suggest you retest your water again and add a couple of more fish.

 

[goldylox]

The ammonia was at a much higher level about two weeks ago and there was also measurable nitrite at that time. Around that time one of my fish died so I was assuming it was because the nitrite had spiked.
How many fish should I add? Two, three?

 

[rubysoho]

I wouldn't add any just yet until that ammonia gets down to undetectable. But just out of curiosity, what are you thinking of adding?

 

[FawnN]

Ok, well that is a different story.

There is definitely something going on in your tank. Once your nitrite zero's out you should be getting a NitrAte reading. Are you?

 

[goldylox]

no NitrAte reading at all.