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The low pH could be a factor, but at 6.0 I think there is still some bacteria there just can't reproduce as quickly as it does with higher pH.
I would recommend you turn the lights off, and CO2 off while you cycle. You could also do a pwc to reduce nitrates as long as you don't disturb the substrate or plants since the majority of your beneficial bacteria is on the surfaces, not too much actually free floating in the water itself.
I think you are almost there. With nitrates that high you have to have a decent amount of bacteria going in there you just have to let everything else catch up.
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